Nawalparasi, April 26
Samsung, one of the world's leading consumer electronics and smartphones brands, today inaugurated a landmark television factory in Nawalparasi in collaboration with its longstanding partner in Nepal, Him Electronics.
As per stakeholders, it is the first instance of a multinational company setting up an electronics manufacturing facility in Nepal that is also expected to play a major influence on the local economy. It is also said that the factory can produce 1,000 units of televisions per day while running at full capacity.
Samsung's new television factory was inaugurated by Minister for Industries, Commerce and Supplies Ramesh Rijal, and JB Park, president and CEO of Samsung Southwest Asia. Also present were Shekhar Golchha, chairman and MD of Golchha Group, Park Chong-Suk, ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal, Sung June Park, Nepal branch head of Samsung Electronics, along with other local dignitaries.
Speaking at the function, JB Park said, "Samsung has had a long-standing relation with the people of Nepal, having been in the country for over two decades. This new television factory with our partner Him Electronics will further deepen our bond with Nepal and underline the work we are doing to strengthen local industry and provide job opportunities to people here."
While thanking the Nepal government and local authorities for their 'strong vision and continued support', he further said that the factory will also facilitate development of skilled manpower.
Golchha said that the cooperation with Samsung exhibits the potential the sector has in Nepal.
"The largest global electronics firm has shown its deep-rooted interest in the Nepali market. This is a big indicator for us. With suitable policies to promote the sector, we can see many positive contributions to the national economy in terms of employment, value addition and opportunities beyond national boundaries," he said.
Similarly, Korean Ambassador Park Chong-Suk shared that Samsung Electronics has further plans to expand its production into various electronic goods beyond TVs, like washing machines and refrigerators. Stating that the country is focusing on electronic developments especially through strengthening the manufacturing industry and foreign investments that accelerate Nepal's economic development ahead of the country's graduation from least developed countries in 2026, the ambassador remarked that this factory is a good example of that.
"Korea as Nepal's development partner has been supporting the country's achievements. In line with this support, the Korean government will continue its efforts to make more Korean companies invest in Nepal. With necessary institutional frameworks in place, I'm sure more companies will be looking to invest here in the near future," he said, adding that he hopes that the Nepal government will also offer its support by fostering a more investment-friendly environment to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
The foundation for the new TV factory in Nawalparasi was laid in August 2022. The trial production of televisions was started from April 5, 2023 to ensure the products were up to Samsung's standards and quality. Teams from Samsung and Korea inspected and oversaw the trial production phase.
According to Ganesh Raj Pandey, sales manager of Him Electronics Pvt Ltd, the factory has the capacity to produce as many as 1,000 units of TVs per day. "There are currently 40 people working on the plant for the trial phase and a total of 120 people will be employed to run the factory at full scale. The factory will produce HD and non-HD TVs ranging from 32 inches to 85 inches," Pandey told THT.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 27, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
