The process of setting up 23 new industries in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bhairahawa has gained momentum. The SEZ Authority has recently given permission to additional 23 industries. Currently seven industries are in operation at the first-ever SEZ in the country.
Out of 68 plots in the SEZ, 46 plots were vacant. When the SEZ Authority called for proposals from March 15 this year for the establishment of industry, it received applications for 55 plots which was more than the available slots.
According to Chandika Prasad Bhatta, Executive Director of the Authority, all the 23 industries that signed the agreement with the SEZ will now be able to move ahead with the process to establish industries.
Bhairahawa SEZ is the first export-oriented project in the country. Currently seven industries are in operation here and with the addition of 23 new industries, the number of industries in the facility will reach 30.
Stating that the number of industries showing to run their plants in the SEZ is encouraging, Bhatta said that the contracting party should bring their industries in operation within one-and-a-half years since signing the agreement.
The industries coming to the SEZ include pressure cooker, rice cooker, rental, aluminum disposal packet, toilet paper, tissue paper, herbs, stone carving, scrap processing, conduction stove, cement board, leather goods, garment and furniture.
The 55 industries that submitted applications had pledged an investment of Rs. 7 billion and 2,534 jobs. Likewise, the industry that got permission to develop their establishments in the SEZ will produce goods worth Rs. 18.5 billion a year.
The industries currently in production are now estimated to produce goods worth Rs. 18.5 billion annually and they have proposed to make an annual export of Rs. 10.84 billion.
Currently seven industries are in operation in 22 plots of the SEZ, they include Jaya Buddha Metal Craft, Panchakanya Steel Tank, Shakti Minerals, V-Star Global Pvt. Ltd., S. Polymers, Tirupati Metal Craft and Brilliant Lighting. Earlier, out of the total 68 plots of land allotted for industries in the SEZ, 46 plots were vacant.
Out of this, nine entrepreneurs had entered into an agreement with the SEZ Authority to set up industries in 22 plots.
But they were occupying the land for a long time without showing any interest in setting up the industry.
The SEZ Authority had revoked the agreements of all the plots that had not been set up and published a notice asking proposals from other entrepreneurs.
Source : TRN,
