Panchkhal SEZ master plan in final stage

Published On: July 16, 2016 04:44 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

BANEPA, July 16: The Master Plan of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be established at Panchkhal of Kavrepalanchowk has come to the final shape.

The SEZ Development Committee after collecting feedback shared that necessary preparation was being made to bring into operation the Panchkhal special economic zone within some years. The Committee is now collecting civic inputs and feedback to make its masterplan further effective.

At an interaction organized by the Committee at Dhulikhel on Friday, Secretary at Industry Ministry Surya Prasad Silwal said that the government has expedited the preparatory works keeping Panchkhal SEZ in priority.

He added that the SEZ program would discourage strikes and shutdowns that limit the opportunity for economy to prosper.

Executive Director of SEZ Development Committee Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta said albeit the practice of special economic zone is new for them they are bringing some ambitious programs as part of the initiative.

The objective is to manufacture and export goods to China by utilizing raw materials of the country, he clarified.

Former Secretary Purswottam Ojha said the plan is to export the goods manufactured in Panchkhal SEZ to Lhasa and Sigatche of China. The SEZ Panchkhal should be developed as a model for exporting goods to China, he suggested.

Arun Tandukar, an engineer involved in developing the master plan, said the major challenge for the economic zone is to expand road access and shared that there will be 56 plots in the special economic zone stretched over 50 hectares of land.

A budget of Rs 1.2 billion has been estimated for the construction of SEZ in Panchkhal and the basic works such as soil testing have completed, he added.

Chairperson of Dhulikhel Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dil Sundar Shrestha expressed concern over the snail progress in SEZ development due to lack of clear relevant laws and rule.

The process for establishing special economic zone in Panchkhal had started three years ago. RSS