Cooperation Projects with Bhutan

Dear Member,
With reference to the letter sent to our Chamber by TOBB, the letter of the Ministry of Trade dated 14.05.2024 and numbered E-37463078-724.01.03-00096705581 forwarded to our Union;

provides details of the "Gelephu Mindfulness City" project, announced by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, on 17 December 2023
on the occasion of Bhutan's 116th National Day
. The letter states that it is planned to establish an Economic Zone (hub) in the city of Gelephu, located on the border with India.
It is emphasised that the energy needs of the said Economic Zone will be met by hydroelectric power plants and that the zone, which will extend over an area of a thousand
kilometres, will function as an economic hub. In addition, it is announced that the aim is to facilitate the provision of financing for public infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and airports, and that in the first phase of the project, the construction of offices, residences, schools, hospitals, hotels and private businesses is envisaged to begin.
However, the letter states that Bhutan's production capacity is weak and that it is in a socio-economic bottleneck, and that although the "Gelephu Mindfulness City" project is aimed at revitalising the country's economy, the implementation of the project remains uncertain as the search for financing continues.
It is stated that, in the first stage, work is continuing to find investors rather than implementing companies, and that India and Qatar may be interested in the project.

Kind regards,
Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry