, a groundbreaking 1,000sq km project by the nation's southern border. Spearheaded by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the initiative aims to transform Bhutan into a hub for smart living, business, and education, while promoting Gross National Happiness. Strategic Location and Infrastructure Development GMC's positioning near the Manas river, accessible by a short flight from Dhaka or a day's drive north from Bangladesh, is strategic. The recent upgrade of Gelephu airport to international standards in September 2023 is a testament to Bhutan's commitment to making GMC a regional nexus. This city is envisioned as a catalyst for retaining Bhutan's educated populace, thereby reversing the trend of emigration that saw approximately 5% of Bhutanese relocating in 2020. By enhancing connectivity through upgraded highways and proposed railway links to India, GMC is set to bolster trade and communication channels across Eastern South Asia. Fostering Regional Collaboration and Economic Diversification King Jigme Khesar’s diplomatic efforts have been instrumental in garnering support for GMC, with significant focus during his state visit to India in November 2023. Discussions revolved around infrastructure enhancements and railway projects to improve trade routes with neighboring Indian states and Bangladesh. Bhutan's ambassador to Bangladesh's recent exploration of investment opportunities in northern Bangladesh's Kurigram district further illustrates GMC's potential role as a trading and economic hub. This aligns with Bhutan and Bangladesh's preferential trade agreement, facilitating bilateral duty-free access and leveraging major Bangladeshi ports for Bhutanese trade. Architectural and Environmental Considerations Global firms like BIG Bjarke Ingels Group, UK-based Arup Group, and Singapore-based Cistri are at the forefront of designing GMC, which aims to embody the principles of Gross National Happiness across nine domains. The masterplan, inspired by Mandala design principles, envisages a city with diverse neighborhoods mimicking paddy fields, focusing on ecological diversity, health, education, and community vitality. King Jigme Khesar's involvement in spreading the blueprint highlights the national importance of this project and its potential to enhance Bhutan's socio-economic landscape. As Bhutan embarks on the GMC project, its implications on regional prosperity, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development are profound. This initiative not only aims to curb the emigration of Bhutan's skilled workforce but also positions Bhutan as a leader in smart city development and regional cooperation in South Asia. By fostering a blend of mindfulness, innovation, and strategic partnerships, GMC could redefine Bhutan's trajectory towards a more prosperous and harmonious future. For More Interesting News Follow Us on Instagram){kind=link}
Bhutan’s strategic maneuver to stem the mind drain and reinvigorate its economic system takes kind because the Gelephu Mindfulness Metropolis (GMC), a groundbreaking 1,000sq km undertaking by the nation’s southern border. Spearheaded by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the initiative goals to rework Bhutan right into a hub for sensible dwelling, enterprise, and schooling, whereas selling Gross Nationwide Happiness.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure Improvement
GMC’s positioning close to the Manas river, accessible by a brief flight from Dhaka or a day’s drive north from Bangladesh, is strategic. The latest improve of Gelephu airport to worldwide requirements in September 2023 is a testomony to Bhutan’s dedication to creating GMC a regional nexus. This metropolis is envisioned as a catalyst for retaining Bhutan’s educated populace, thereby reversing the development of emigration that noticed roughly 5% of Bhutanese relocating in 2020. By enhancing connectivity by means of upgraded highways and proposed railway hyperlinks to India, GMC is ready to bolster commerce and communication channels throughout Jap South Asia.
Fostering Regional Collaboration and Financial Diversification
King Jigme Khesar’s diplomatic efforts have been instrumental in garnering help for GMC, with important focus throughout his state go to to India in November 2023. Discussions revolved round infrastructure enhancements and railway tasks to enhance commerce routes with neighboring Indian states and Bangladesh. Bhutan’s ambassador to Bangladesh’s latest exploration of funding alternatives in northern Bangladesh’s Kurigram district additional illustrates GMC’s potential position as a buying and selling and financial hub. This aligns with Bhutan and Bangladesh’s preferential commerce settlement, facilitating bilateral duty-free entry and leveraging main Bangladeshi ports for Bhutanese commerce.
Architectural and Environmental Issues
World companies like BIG Bjarke Ingels Group, UK-based Arup Group, and Singapore-based Cistri are on the forefront of designing GMC, which goals to embody the ideas of Gross Nationwide Happiness throughout 9 domains. The masterplan, impressed by Mandala design ideas, envisages a metropolis with various neighborhoods mimicking paddy fields, specializing in ecological range, well being, schooling, and group vitality. King Jigme Khesar’s involvement in spreading the blueprint highlights the nationwide significance of this undertaking and its potential to boost Bhutan’s socio-economic panorama.
As Bhutan embarks on the GMC undertaking, its implications on regional prosperity, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic growth are profound. This initiative not solely goals to curb the emigration of Bhutan’s expert workforce but additionally positions Bhutan as a frontrunner in sensible metropolis growth and regional cooperation in South Asia. By fostering a mix of mindfulness, innovation, and strategic partnerships, GMC may redefine Bhutan’s trajectory in direction of a extra affluent and harmonious future.
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