Kathmandu, March 24

The Committee on Commerce, Industries and Consumer Welfare Relation of the Legislature-Parliament today directed Ministry of Industry to endorse guidelines related to Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act and Industrial Enterprise Act as soon as possible.

The parliament had passed the Industrial Enterprise Act in September and SEZ Act in August last year.

Lawmakers in the committee meeting today highlighted that the delay in introducing guidelines of aforementioned acts is hampering potential industrial growth in country. “As these two acts aim at improving industrial environment in the country and promoting investment, the MoI should work aggressively to introduce the guidelines of these acts,” said Bhisma Raj Angdambe, chairman of the committee.

Similarly, lawmakers also criticised MoI and Ministry of Energy (MoE) for their failure to supply adequate electricity at Bhairahawa SEZ. “SEZs are established to promote industries and increase exports. However, it seems that responsible government agencies are putting less effort to create favourable environment inside Bhairahawa SEZ for companies to start constructing industries,” said a majority of lawmakers in the committee meeting. On this note, the committee also directed MoI and MoE to immediately ensure regular and adequate supply of electricity in Bhairahawa SEZ.

The government had inaugurated Bhairahawa SEZ in November 2014. As the government has vowed substantial tax waiver facility for industries operating inside SEZ, the Bhairahawa SEZ had received overwhelming response from domestic companies. The government has already approved the proposal of 24 domestic companies to set up industries inside the Bhairahawa SEZ.

Though the two acts have introduced ‘one window’ policy for industries inside SEZ, the committee also expressed dissatisfaction over government’s delay to do the needful to materialise it.