BHAIRAHAWA, Feb 3: Local industrialists have suggested authorities concerned to remove minimum export threshold for attracting industrial units inside Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bhairahawa. 

Speaking at an event organized by National Planning Commission (NPC) in coordination with Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SICCI) in Bhairahawa, they said that the requirement of exporting at least 60% of total productions should be lifted to bring more industrialists and manufacturers on board SEZ.

A team of NPC, including Member Ram Kumar Phuyal and Joint Secretary Kishor Joshi, held discussions with local industrialists on operation of Bhairahawa SEZ. 

The team arrived in Bhairahawa to collect suggestions from industrialists and do away with provisions that are discouraging investors from moving into SEZ. Among others, the 15th plan envisages to focus on developing manufacturing-based economy by enhancing industrial productivity. It aims to decreased contribution of agriculture sector to GDP to 23% from existing 27.67%, while increasing contribution of manufacturing sector to 18% from existing 14.64%. For this, the government is laying high priority on development of industrial infrastructure.

“We are here to listen to stakeholders and collect their suggestions regarding operation of SEZ. We will revisit existing rules, laws and regulations, if needed, for successful operation of Bhairahawa SEZ," Phuyal said, adding that suggestions collected from local stakeholders will be forwarded to concerned government agencies.

Along with SEZ, the 15th plan also focuses on development of industrial estates and industrial villages at local level.

Also speaking at the event, Rajesh Agrawal, central committee member of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said industrialists will think about moving into SEZ only after electricity substation, water and other facilities are arranged. 

Similarly, Sundar Thapa, program director of SEZ, said the process of awarding tender for building an electricity substation is at the final stage. "At present, we are supplying electricity in SEZ Bhairahawa through a 33 kVA transmission line," he added.

Participants of the discussion requested the NPC and SEZ officials to create environment conducive for industrial units to move into SEZ by revisiting export requirement provision, arranging one-window system for exports, and building necessary infrastructure, among others.

 
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