Bhairahawa SEZ to be inaugurated on Nov 18

BHAIRAHAWA, Nov 14:

The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bhairahawa is coming into operation from November 18.

Minister for Home Affairs Bam Dev Gautam and Ministry for Industry Mahesh Basnet are scheduled to inaugurate SEZ amid a function.

Though necessary infrastructures in Bhairahawa SEZ were ready six months ago, officials were faced difficulties in bringing it into operation in the absence of laws to govern it. The endorsement of Bhairahawa Special Economic Zone Operation Guidelines, 2071 BS has paved the way for officials to bring Bhairahawa SEZ into operation. The government is also drafting SEZ Act to govern special economic zones in the country.

Narayan Regmi, engineer of SEZ, said preparations to bring Bhairahawa SEZ into operation were at the final stage. "Though SEZ Bill is still in drafting phase, the cabinet has already issued special guidelines for the operationalization of Bhairahawa SEZ," he added.

The SEZ Development Committee will inaugurate only the administrative and service buildings for now. It will begin allocating spaces for industries once the administration set up is complete.

“Development of physical infrastructures has already been completed. Preparations are on to install 150 KVA electricity line. We have already paid Rs 30 million to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for a dedicated feeder line," added Regmi.

The Bhairahawa SEZ, which spreads over 35 hectares, has been divided into 68 plots each measuring 2,220 square meters. According to officials, Bhairahawa SEZ can accommodate 200 factories.

The administrative building of SEZ has been established with an investment of Rs 110 million while the service building cost Rs 16.5 million.
"Total investments have reached Rs 540 million till date which is higher than our initial estimate of Rs 520 million," Regmi said, attributing rising cost to delay in construction works.

Dipesh Paudel, another engineer at SEZ, construction works for waste water treatment plant, petrol pump, parking area and sewage system is currently underway.

Upon completion, Bhairahawa SEZ will have facilities like banks, insurance companies, exhibition hall, seminar hall, child care center, schools, postal services, health posts, and entertainment parks, among others. It will have factories producing exportable goods like products made from fruits, herbs and herbal products, plastic goods, electronics, leather goods and garments, among others.

Source: Republica