Govt to provide land in IT Park for foreign data centre.

KATHMANDU:

Interested foreign companies are likely to be able to set up data centre in Nepal from next fiscal year. A directive that includes a plan to allow establishing such centres in the IT Park, Kavre is currently under consideration of the Cabinet.

The guideline titled ‘Directive on IT Park Operation and Management 2015’ that was submitted in the Cabinet for approval has talked of providing necessary land for foreign IT companies to build the data centre. In the budget for current fiscal year, the government had announced of providing land for foreign investors who are interested to set up data centre within Nepal.

Generally, a data centre means a special space where companies can keep and operate their information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, such as servers and storage equipment that run application software, process, store data and content. Some clients seeking data centre service could simply want to utilise the space for cage or rack of equipment, while some might require a room, housing or more, depending on the type of the company and service.

Preparation of the guideline indicates the park, built 11 years ago to contribute in IT sector development, would finally come into operation. It is spread over 237 ropanis of land and was developed with investment of around Rs 400 million. Currently, office of the Department of IT is stationed in the park.

According to Birendra Mishra, director general of Department of IT, the guideline is being reviewed by Cabinet’s Economic and Infrastructure Committee. “We have envisaged operating the park in collaboration with private sector and universities.”

Besides the data centres, as per the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the park’s land can also be leased for building research centres and business incubation centres. Of the total land, only around 10 per cent has been occupied with IT Park’s own infrastructure.

Source:THT