“Load-shedding his hitting cottage and small industries hard, as they can´t arrange alternative power source,” said Lata Pyakurel, president of Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI).[break]
“Some industries have already shut operations, while more are on the verge of closure.
The nation is suffering a 14-hour power cut every day.
Though the government has arranged separate feeders for big industries, there is no such arrangement for cottage and small industries.
“As cottage and small industries are set up with small investment, they can´t afford alternative power source like generators,” Pyakurel added.
Shyam Giri, general secretary of FNCSI, said reduction in output of small and cottage industries would hit exports as most of them are export-based. “If exports suffer, it will ultimately affect the national economy,” Giri added.
According to FNCSI, more than 70 percent of exportable goods are produced by the cottage and small scale industries.
Small entrepreneurs also informed that increasing bank rates was also creating difficulty for them.
About 100,000 of a total of 214,000 small scale industries have already ceased operations. More than 50 percent of those present under operation are financially ailing.
National Entrepreneurs Meet in Butwal
Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) is organizing National Entrepreneurs Meet in Butwal on Feb 26-27.
More than 5,000 promoters of cottage and small industries of 75 districts are expected to attending the meet, according to FNSCI. Likewise, the federation is also organizing seminars on six different issues related to industries. More than 1,000 entrepreneurs and 200 representatives from government and non governmental organizations are attending the seminars.
Addressing a press meet on Sunday, FNCSI President Lata Pyakurel secretaries of concerned ministries would present working papers and experts would comment on them.
Pyakurel further informed that the federation would incorporate suggestions and comments of experts in ´Butwal Declaration´ that would be issued at the end of the gathering.
“We will hand over the declaration to the government and press it to create favorable industrial climate in the country,” she added.
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