Board to prepare report on PEs

KATHMANDU, SEP 27: 

The Public Enterprises Directorate Board (PEDB) has said that it will prepare a report on how to operate state-owned Janakpur Cigarette Factory and Nepal Drug Ltd, by the end of next week.

A seven-member committee led by chairman of PEDB Bimal Wagle has been preparing the report, said joint secretary at the finance ministry Khum Raj Punjali, adding it will incorporate the operation modality of those public enterprises (PEs).

It is likely that the committee will recommend the government to either opt for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model or lease closed public enterprises to competitive private firms, he informed. Operation of Birgunj Sugar Mill which has remained closed for 10 years is also a priority of the board, according to Punjali. 

Meanwhile, the committee will open the vacancy for the position of chief executive officer for more public enterprises soon, he said. “Public entities under the Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD) and Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) are in the top priority,” he informed. 

The board will start the process to select chief executives at Agriculture Inputs Company Ltd, Agriculture Tool Corporation and Dairy Development Corporation under MoAD, and National Trading Company and Nepal Food Corporation under MoCS, said Punjali.

The process to select the chief executive of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has been halted after its acting managing director approached the court seeking a halt to the process. The board has shortlisted candidates for the post of chief executive at Insurance Board, and Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company.

Source: THT