The government is to take programme-based initiatives for resolving all types of problems seen in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

This commitment from the government comes in response to the complaints by industrialists and business community that industry-friendly environment was not available at the Bhairahawa SEZ due to various problems, one of them being shortage of electricity supply.

It may be noted here that Bhairahawa SEZ was established by the government with a goal of reducing trade deficit and for paving the way for economic prosperity. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta said the Ministry would form a committee for addressing all kinds of problems seen in SEZ and monitor the situation through this. According to him, the practical problems would be resolved on the spot.

The Minister shared that works on some policy reforms was also on to that connection. Minister Bhatta was addressing a programme of interaction on the situation of Bhairahawa SEZ organized here today by Society of Economic Journalists of Nepal (SEJON) and Sammunati Foundation. He said the government would take special initiatives to identify the problems seen in SEZ and address them. MMinister of State for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Motilal Dugad reiterated that the Ministry was committed to resolving the problems seen in SEZ and other industrial zones. He added that the government should keep the industrial sector in priority to achieve the national goal of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’.

National Planning Commission former vice-chairman Dr Shanker Sharma urged the government to seriously look into why industrialists who had applied to set up industries in SEZ withdrew their applications. Only three industries are in operation in Bhairahawa SEZ which was set up in 2001. Although 13 industries have committed operating, five have withdrawn. SEZ Authority under-secretary Sundar Thapa denied that there was problem in power supply at the SEZ. He said the Authority has only nine employees out of the total positions for 58.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) deputy executive director Hararaj Neupane said NEA would supply 15 Megawatts power to SEZ within one month.