Four industrial corridors to be established

KATHMANDU, Dec 29:

The Ministry of Industry (MoI) has initiated a study to establish Sunsari-Morang, Bhairahawa-Butwal, Nepalgunj-Kohalpur and Birgunj-Simara industrial corridors.

MoI Spokesperson Yam Kumari Khatiwada said the ministry has formed a three-member committee to study infrastructures at the proposed sites.

The committee led by Joint Secretary has Rishi Raj Koirala has been asked to submit report within two months. Under Secretary Bishnu Prasad Dhakal and a technical director of Department of Industry (DoI) are the other members in the committee.

According to Khatiwada, the main objective behind establish industrial corridors is to increase local production for replacing import by promoting export, promoting investment friendly environment in the country, and creating employment opportunities, among others.

"We have asked the committee to conduct site inspection, interact with local industrialists, study the situation of industries there, find out the available facilities, and suggest to the government what needs to be done," Khatiwada said, adding, "The committee has also been asked to study the relation between workers, management and local community, and carry out environmental assessment study.”

The committee will also suggest a set of standards for industry opening their production units in the area, according to Khatiwada. She further said the government will build necessary infrastructures in the areas as per the suggestions of the study committee and promote them as industrial corridors.

The government can open industrial corridors only after making amendment to the Industrial Enterprise Act 1992.

"We are already in the process of making amendment to the Act. We will declare industrial corridors once the Act is amended," he added.

Source: Myrepublica