FNCCI’s rescue call for crusher sector

KATHMANDU: The increased duty of 122 per cent to 185 per cent on exports in the budget for the fiscal year 2009-10 has hit the crusher industry hard.

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has voiced

serious concern over the negative impact of budget on the crusher industry.

The umbrella organisation of the Nepali private

sector said that crusher

industries across the

country have been crushed and are closed since the budget was announced on July 13 by Finance Minister Surendra Pandey.

FNCCI has urged the government to help reopen the industry immediately. These industries which opened a decade ago eyeing the Indian market. There are around 130 crusher

industries from east in Mechi to west in Kailali.

According to FNCCI, crusher industries have been

providing direct employment to about 95,000 people and indirect employment to five lakh people with an investment of about Rs 180 billion in the sector.

FNCCI has urged the government to reduce the tax immediately to let these industries operate. People associated with these have been protesting the government’s tax raise but it has been indifferent to their demand, said FNCCI. The industry people are also protesting the customs point hindering the import and export. FNCCI requested them to call off their protest at the customs as Dashain is nearing .