Local units told to propose potential sites

KATHMANDU, Jan 6: As part of the government policy of opening at least 10 industrial villages each in all seven provinces of the country, the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies has requested all local units to propose to it potential sites that could be developed into industrial villages.

The ministry has already issued 'Declaration and Operation of Industrial Villages Guidelines' to facilitate opening of industrial villages at local units.

Of the 70 proposed industrial villages, 32 have already been declared.

Dinesh Bhattarai, joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, told Republica that the main objective of establishing industrial villages at local units was to use local resources, technology and skill at the local level to run small scale industries. "Industrial villages at local level will make proper utilization of local resources, raw materials, technology.

While utilizing local resources and skills, it will also create employment opportunities for the local people,” he added.

The industrial villages will have required infrastructure like waste management, safe drinking water, electricity, warehouse and laborers, which are essential to operate industrial units, under one roof.

These villages will also look after marketing and promotion of products manufactured at the local level, according to Bhattarai.

"These industrial villages will strengthen the country's manufacturing sector and help to reduce imports to some extent," he added.

He said that such industrial villages will promote public-private partnership and create a suitable business doing environment for investors.

“The government will encourage private sector to increase their investments by creating investment friendly environment,” he added.

Officials of Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies are confident that these industrial villages will not face that Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is facing.

"As industrial villages will be focused more on production of goods that can be consumed locally by using locally available raw materials and resources, they are unlikely to face problems that SEZ, which houses large-scale industries, is facing," he added.

According to Bhattarai, industrial villages to be built at local units will focus on industries producing sugar, pharmaceutical, leather footwear, cement, jute, carpet, handicraft, thread and yarn, readymade apparels and accessories, among others, as well as daily consumable goods.

"Local units will be responsible for establishment and operation of industrial villages. The center will provide only operational support," he said, adding that the ministry was hopeful that all 70 industrial villages will be ready in four years.