With only around two days remaining to invest in the Gelephu Mindfulness City Nation Building Bond, Bhutanese aspiring to invest are calling for an extension of the investment window. As of this morning, the Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan, RSEBL reported that over 16,000 clients have already subscribed to the bond, pushing the total amount invested past Nu 1.5bn, steadily approaching the Nu 2bn target.
Many potential investors cite a need for more time to better understand the bond’s purpose and structure. Others are hoping for a few extra days to mobilize additional savings so they can contribute more.
Tsirang Patshaling Gup Chabi Kumar Rai said, “Not every citizen is fully aware of this bond. Even in my gewog, when I get the opportunity to speak with people, I find that they are equally interested but not well-informed. Some also don’t have enough money at the moment. If the subscription period is extended by even one more month, it would give everyone a fair and equal opportunity to participate.”
“The Gelephu Mindfulness City is a major project and a great opportunity for all of us. For example, some of my friends have just started new jobs and are interested in investing in bonds, but they haven’t been able to save enough yet. I also couldn’t invest much this time, but I did contribute Nu 10,000. If we’re given a little more time, I’d really like to invest more,” said Tshewang Cheda, a resident of Thimphu.
Kesang Tshering, another Thimphu resident said, “I invested around Nu 10,000 which is the minimum amount, and I’m very proud of it because I feel like I’m serving my country. Similarly, some of my friends are also interested, but they haven’t been able to make a decision, most likely because they are not very aware of the bond. If the deadline is extended, I’m confident they’ll have the clarity and time they need to decide.”
“Some people may look at it purely from a profit perspective, but like any investment, it comes with both profit and risk. For me, it was more about making a contribution. I even encouraged my friends to subscribe. Many of my friends and family members are interested as well. I believe that if the subscription period is extended, even more people will come forward to invest,” said Tshewang Penjor, a shop owner in Thimphu.
The Gelephu Investment and Development Corporation launched the bond on 2nd May. The funds raised will finance the construction of the Gelephu International Airport.
So far, more than 16 thousand investors have subscribed to the bond. Of it, nearly ten thousand subscribed via the RSEBL website and the remaining purchased the bond through BoB, BDBL, DK Bank, RICB and BNB.
Samten Dolkar/Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Phub Gyem
