KATHMANDU, April 1: The Federation of Nepal Exporters Association (FNEA) has expressed gratitude to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the newly appointed Executive Director, and key government leaders, including the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister, for their proactive efforts in securing the necessary electricity supply to mitigate the ongoing load shedding crisis affecting Nepal's industrial sector.
According to a press statement issued by the FNEA, the association expressed its appreciation for the efforts made by the NEA, the new Executive Director, and government leaders, including the Minister of Energy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister. The association has also conveyed hope that this development will allow industries to operate 24/7, significantly boosting their output and efficiency.
There will be no load-shedding now: NEA
The statement reads, “Frequent power outages have become a major hurdle for industries under the FNEA, causing significant financial losses and hindering the production of export-oriented goods. These industries, which play a crucial role in promoting Nepal's raw materials and products on the global stage, have struggled to meet their production capacity due to up to 12 hours of daily load shedding. As a result, both the industries and the state have lost revenue. This has also affected the overall economy.”
The statement further reads, “However, the recent initiative by the NEA to import additional electricity from neighboring India has provided a much-needed solution. This move has enabled the industrial sector to receive a more regular and stable power supply, improving productivity and helping to mitigate the impact of frequent power cuts.”
Looking forward, FNEA has called for sustained government support to help ensure that the industrial sector can continue operating smoothly, without further disruptions, and contribute to Nepal's economic development.
Despite these positive developments, FNEA has raised concerns about the ongoing delay in the disbursement of government cash incentives, which are critical to the continued growth of export-oriented industries. The FNEA has urged the government to expedite the release of these funds to ensure the stability and progress of the sector.