Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 24:

Speakers at the inaugural ceremony of a five-day long Electro Tech-2004 have requested India and China — the two big neighbours of Nepal — to help Nepal in electricity generation with capital and technology.

Despite Nepal having the capacity to generate thousands of megawatts (MW) of electricity, it has not been able to generate even to meet the domestic demand, speakers showed serious concerns.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Electro Tech-2004, Binod Bahadur Shrestha, president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said Nepal is lagging behind in electricity generation because of weak policies.

“The five-day long fair will help boost the market of electrical products,” Shrestha opined.

“The fair is a good platform to display the products and attract foreign direct investment in the country,” he added.

Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) on the occasion said,“Due to the ongoing insecure environment in the country economic activities are not healthy, the organising of electro tech fair may bring some hopes for the business community and exploit the opportunities.” Shrestha was of the opinion that despite enough water resources, we are facing load shedding which is ironical.

India is a market for Nepali electricity which could expedite economic development back home, opined Shrestha.

He also urged all concerned and exhibitors to create awareness over new electrical products and their ustainability.

President of Nepal Electrical Association (NEA) Bimal Singh Oswal requested India and China to help Nepal in electricity generation as Nepal does possesses huge water resources potential. Oswal said that Nepal is rich in water resources, but consumers here have to pay highest price for electricity consumption.

Due to weak electricity development, business sector is suffering, Oswal said adding, “Nepal needs to produce 1000 MW of electricity in 10 years to meet the domestic demand.”Chief of Kathmandu Exhibition (KE) Bijay Sagar Shrestha, the electro tech-2004 manager, on the occasion said despite difficulties, KE has been able to manage the fair with all everybody’s support.

Over 80 exhibitors from Nepal, India, Singapore, Germany, Korea, China, Malaysia, Australia and Taiwan are displaying their products in the fair. The slogan of the electro tech-2004 is ‘electricity for development’.

The fair will end on March 28. During the event, various symposiums are scheduled to be held on various issues related to electricity.

The products such as alternative energy management, current international trend in electricity and variety of local and international products will be displayed.