7 firms want to set up industrial units at Pokhara Industrial Estate

POKHARA, May 10:

Seven new companies have expressed interest to set up their industrial units in the Pokhara Industrial Estate (PIE). They are interested to set up their factories in the area left vacant by some factories that shut down earlier. The Industrial Area Management Limited (IAML) said the new proposals are being studied.

There are currently 70 factories inside the PIE. According to Nepal Bhusan Baidya, Acting Manager of IAML Pokhara, the new companies will be allowed to set up their proposed industrial units once the proposals are approved by the IAML headquarters. The companies are likely to be established within the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2013/14. According to the IAML office, one of the companies has proposed to invest up to Rs 500 million.

New Link Copy, Kaligandaki Oxygen, Nakarmi Electronics, Pokhara Soap, Bijay Engineering, Asian Feeds and Alkrit Production are the new firms seeking to set up their factories inside the PIE. Baidya told Republica that three other companies have also shown interest to start their industrial units in the industrial estate. More firms want to set up their business inside the industrial estate due to availability of electricity, water, security and road access. The rent of the land is also comparatively cheaper, according to businessmen.

According to officials at IAML Pokhara, the decade long conflict however saw few industrial units set up on the premises of the industrial estate.

"There is investment worth Rs 900 million in the 70 industrial units which are in operation now. The government has also made investment of Rs 20 million in the estate," said Baidya. Nearly 1,600 people are employed in these industrial units. PIE, which is spread over 500 ropani [25.44 hectares] of land, was established four decades ago. The estate which was then established away from the city is now surrounded by human settlement.

The estate has lately attracted foreign investors too. Danial Burgi, a Swiss national, has made an investment of Rs 300 million last year to set up Himalayan Life Plastic Factory. The factory processes scraps including plastic bottles and produces raw materials for other industries.

Five factories were added in the estate in last FY 2012/13. Among them, two deal with plastics. Laxmi Group, reputed industrial group of Pokhara, has also set up a plastic factory here.

Among the firms that shut down over the past few years include Bhagwati Biscuits, Creams Wafer, Sinha Mines, Panthi Pulp Paper, Mustang Engineering, Kamal Pauroti, Sigdel Press and Umashanka toothpaste. Another spot which was occupied by Gandaki Noodles is now vacant after its production unit was shifted to Himshree Foods.

    
 Source: Republica