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Work of SEZP 2064/65 (2007/08) in BriefThe SEZP has successfully completed the tasks of Fiscal Year 2064/65 (2007/08). A brief account of the Project activities carried out in 2064/65 is presented here.
The Special Economic Zone Law has been formulated and presented to the Council of Ministers (CoM) after extensive discussion with Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs and National Planning commission. Content of the proposed law were also discussed extensively with international organizations such as World Bank, ADB, ILO etc. Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS) a Joint Service of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank sent a multi disciplinary team to Nepal in February 2007 to access the investment climate in Nepal including SEZ which was considered to be one of the important tools for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nepal and as such the team suggested several modification to the draft of that time. A follow-up mission studied further feasibility of SEZ as a major part for Investment Climate Assessment and as a tool for attracting FDI to Nepal. Accordingly several modifications were made and the draft law was re-submitted to the Councils of Ministers in April 2007. The discussion to improve the law to the international standard and best practice is continuing. The law is still in, CoM for detail discussion.
Construction works are being carried out within BEPZ with a view to make part of it allotable to private investors for establishment of industries with basic infrastructure facilities. However, due to several factors, mainly Terai strike, Constitution Assembly Election, a small part of the work could not be completed on time and the work is being continued in the current fiscal year too. During F.Y. 2064/65 about 40 bigahas (Approx 25 Ha.) of land has been prepared, along with construction of storm water drain, waste water drain, internal gravel road, parking area etc. At present about 80% of BEPZ land is prepared for allocation. Minimum required infrastructure such as gravel road, electricity, drainages, water, parking etc have been prepared.
Two tasks have been carried out for the Birgunj SEZ. A. Detail Engineering Design of GPZ under Birgunj SEZ The consultant is appointed for the work of GPZ Design at Simara and at present the consultant is working for finalization of the assigned task. B. Infrastructure Development 2780 m. approach road has been re-graveled and two cross drainages have been repaired.
Two consultants have been appointed for the following Pre-Feasibility studies of Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
A team of high ranking officials from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply (MOICS) and the Special Economic Zone Project (SEZP) visited Biratnagar from 8 May to 11 May 2008 and carried out intensive consultation and interaction with local entrepreneurs and stakeholders. The team comprised of Mr. Niranjan Baral, Joint Secretary and Mr. Uddhav Adhikari Under Secretary from MOICS and Mr. Jagadiswar Shrestha, the Project Chief, Mr. Arjun J. Thapa, Sr. Engineer and Mr. Padma Pandey, Legal Officer from SEZP.
In this fiscal year SEZP was able to further strengthen friendly relation with SEZs of India, China and Bangladesh. A Governmental delegation under the leadership of Mr. N.R. Baral, Joint secretary of MOICS, including SEZ Project Chief Mr. Shrestha and U.K. Adhikari, Under-Secretary of MOICS visited IL&FS India and carried out discussions with related organizations. Discussions were held with high ranking officials of the Ministry of Trade of Government of India and International Leasing and Financial Service (IL&FS) about possibility of Indian financial assistance and participation of the Indian private and public sector organizations in construction and management of SEZ in Birganj. Mr. P.P. Panday, the legal officer of the project participated in a study mission entitled “ Multi-Country study mission on Public Governance for Asian Public Servants" held in South Korea in 20 to 21 November 2007. Several SEZ officials participated and presented working/keynote papers in various seminars and meetings held within the country.Work of SEZP 2063/64 in Brief The SEZP has successfully completed the tasks of Fiscal Year 2063/64. A brief account of the Project activities carried out in 2063/64 is presented here.
The Special Economic Zone Law has been formulated and presented to the council of Ministers (COM) after extensive discussion with Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs and National Planning commission. Content of the Proposed law were also discussed extensively with international organizations such as World Bank, ADB, ILO etc. Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS) a Joint Service of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank sent a multi disciplinary team to Nepal in February 2007to access the investment climate in Nepal including SEZ. SEZ was considered to be one of the important tools for attacting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nepal and as such the team suggested several modification to the draft of that time. Accordingly several modifications were made and the draft law was submitted to the Councils of Ministers. The discussion to improve the law to the international standard and best practice is continuing. The law is at present in , OM for detail discussions after which it will be submitted to the parliament.
Construction works are being carried out within BEPZ with a view to make part of it allot table to private investmentors for establishment of industries with basic infrastructure facilities. After completion of this year’s work about 60% of BEPZ would be prepared for allotment. However, due to several factors the work could not be completed on time and the it is being continued in the current fiscal year too. During F.Y. 2063/64 about 9 bigahas (Approx 6 Ha.) of land has been prepared, along with construction of Storm water drain (75 m.), Waste water drain (725 m) internal gravel road (6962 sq m), Parking area (5460 sq m.) etc. At present about 50% of BEPZ land is prepared for allocation. Minimum required infrastructure such as gravel road, electricity, drainages, water, parking etc have been prepared.
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The process to appoint a consultant to carry out feasibility and design study was postponed because of the interest shown by the Govt. of India in implementing BSEZ including feasibility study, construction etc. At present discussions are being held on modalities to implement the study, design and construction of BSEZ.
The fiscal year SEZP was able to establish friendly relation with SEZs of China and Bangladesh. A Governmental delegation under the leadership of Mr. P.P. Neupane, Joint secretary of MOICS and including SEZ Project Chief Mr. Shrestha visited Shenzhen SEZ and carried out discussions with related organization. A governmental team under the leadership of SEZP Chief Mr. Shrestha visited Bangladesh in September 2006 in connection with cooperation between Nepal and IFC (FIAS-SEDF) on SEZ to formulation and implementation of SEZ in Nepal. Several meeting symposiums concerning SEZ law and implementation of SEZ were organized and participated by the project staff. Mr. P.P. Panday, the legal officer of the project participated in a study mission entitled “ Multi Country study mission on productivity enhancement in public sector” held in South Korea in 6 to 9 November 2006. Similarly Mr. D.K. Bhattarai, Sr. engineer of the project took part in a Seminar on “ Management of “SEZ” held in China in December 2006. A 4 wheel drive jeep was purchased by the project this fiscal year. The vehicle is expected to help in daily works and field visits by the personals of the project.
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