Gelephu Mindfulness City

Gelephu Mindfulness City is Bhutan’s high-profile attempt at a new SEZ-style startup city.

Unlike monthlong popups, the ambition is a lasting jurisdictional and urban project.

GMC’s charter ties mindfulness and governance to a long-horizon SEZ buildout in southern Bhutan.

Gelephu Mindfulness City is a Special Administrative Region chartered in Bhutan in February 2024.

The project spans about 4,046 km² in Bhutan's southern plains bordering Assam, India.

Royal Charter grants GMC executive and legislative powers with an independent judiciary separate from the national government.

GMC's public materials describe a “Mindful Prosperity” roadmap across multiple priority industries.

GMC's public FAQ outlines investor incentives, sector priorities, and the separation between Bhutanese federal law and SAR governance.

It seeks to offer the world a different path of development, one where traditional Bhutanese values of spirituality and harmony with nature, blends with innovation, technology and economic vibrancy.

Under the direct guidance of His Majesty, GMC will be run by global and local talents to build an advanced economy by adopting and adapting the best governing policies and business practices from around the world.

Development should not come at all costs, but neither can it be denied.

To help achieve this vision, GMC’s “Mindfulness Prosperity” road map focuses on eight core priority industries.

Operating under a One Country, Two Systems model, it will feature independent and business-friendly laws.

An emerging special economic zone and startup city project in Bhutan.

GMC combines Bhutanese values around mindfulness and nature with economic development goals.

Official policy and investor information is published at gmc.bt.

Investor FAQs and sector roadmaps for Gelephu Mindfulness City are maintained at gmc.bt.