Himalayan Life Plastic Industry, which was established in June with investment of Rs 30 million from a Swiss national, has been supplying raw materials to other industries by recycling plastic goods and bottles. Similarly, Pokhara-based Laxmi House has started another plastic industry with the investment of Rs 14 million. [break]
Other factories opened in Pokhara Industrial Estate include Asal Dairy and two drinking water bottlers - Nepal Himalayan Beverage and Annapurna Foods and Beverage.
Bhojraj Binadi, manager of Pokhara Industrial Estate, said Himalayan Beverage and Annapurna Foods and Beverage have invested Rs 20 million each while Asal Dairy has invested Rs 10 million.
With these new additions, the number of factories operating in Pokhara Industrial Estate has reached 80. Prabhat Prateek, deputy general manager of Himalayan Life Plastic, said the factory was established to contribute to the protection of environment by collecting discarded plastic bottles and products.
“Rather than concentrating on profit making, we are focused on environment conservation rather,” Prateek said, adding, “We plan to use the profit generated by the company for the welfare of children and environment conservation in Pokhara.”
According to officials, reliable power supplies through feeders and low rent at the industrial estate have attracted new industries to Pokhara. “We are ready to provide land required for new industries in order to increase industrial activities in the industrial estate,” said Binadi. Around 10 industries in the estate have been either closed or shifted to other areas due to various reasons.
Bhagbati Biscuits, Singh Mineral, Panthi Pulps Paper Recycling and Packaging, Mustang Engineering, Kamal Pauroti, Sigdel Printing and Umashankar Tooth Paste are among the industries that have shut business or shifted to other areas in recent years.
“We will provide opportunity to those who are interested to start business in the industrial estate. But we won´t allow industries who only cover space but don´t start operation,” added Binadi.
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