सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Kathmandu. The operation of this industry is not only the formal entry of IME Group into the manufacturing sector, it is a new beginning in Nepal’s industrial journey. It is our commitment to the country’s self-reliance, economic growth and sustainable industrial development. This is an example of the ‘hostema hanse’ done by the private sector in the national aspiration of development.
You are aware of the support given by IME Group to Nepal’s commercial and industrial development, which has been making significant contributions to the priority sectors of the country’s economy such as banking, insurance, remittance, tourism infrastructure, information technology and hydropower for a long time.
We believe that this will be an important step towards reducing the closure of industries, the exodus of investors, and the compulsion of our youth to work in the 50 degree Celsius heat of the Arabian Gulf, opening new industries, replacing imports, and creating a renaissance of job-oriented industrial development.
Today is a proud moment for all of us as we are inaugurating this state-of-the-art pulp and paper industry in Nepal that will utilize the immense opportunity of production, import substitution, and consumption. The industry, whose construction work began in Shrawan 2078, has now started producing 75 metric tons of quality paper suitable for writing and printing work daily. We will formally launch it after the inauguration by the Honorable Prime Minister today.
Our effort is also in line with the government’s idea of promoting indigenous industries and achieving self-reliance in key sectors.
For the past several years, Nepal has been dependent on imports for paper and paper-based products. With the closure of one of the largest industries in the country, the Bhrikuti Paper Factory, we do not have domestic production of paper at an industrial level. However, small and artisanal paper industries are contributing well to the supply of handicrafts and Nepali paper.
By becoming import-oriented in this way, we have had to spend tens of billions of rupees worth of foreign exchange. We have also had to face rising prices due to price fluctuations in the international market. Last fiscal year 2080. In 2008 alone, Nepal spent nearly 12 billion rupees on the import of paper and paper products. Nepal has been importing paper from countries including India, China, Germany, America, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
Currently, Nepal imports paper rolls and sheets, paperboards of various sizes and weights, and even toilet paper.
We have all seen and heard that the paper industry makes paper by melting straw, straw, wood, etc. However, the thinking of this industry is completely different. The paper that we use at home and office and then throw away or destroy is the main raw material of this industry. The old papers used in home offices will be collected by small entrepreneurs and will reach this industry. And from there, after melting it, unnecessary items such as plastic, ink will be separated and made into new paper and will be released into the market again.
Therefore, keeping this possibility in mind, we have started this initiative to produce paper domestically. Our industry will play a significant role in import substitution and provide domestically produced paper to Nepali consumers, businessmen, and industries at competitive prices.
This industry, which has invested more than 2 billion rupees, is producing photocopy paper in the first phase of paper production on an industrial scale. The production of photocopy paper, which is in high demand in educational, administrative, and many other sectors, will address the demand of the domestic market. The door will also open for the use of domestic products, including Janak Shiksha Samagi Kendra, which has been printing school textbooks.
I would like to appeal to everyone here, our industry is not only focused on production, sales and distribution and profit. We are equally conscious about the environment. The industry has taken various initiatives to reduce air pollution and water pollution caused by the industry. To reduce air pollution, the industry is using PCC plants. This not only reduces pollution, but also produces precipitated calcium carbonate domestically. For this, carbon is extracted from the smoke emitted from the chimney and mixed with limestone to make PCC chemical. That chemical is then used in the industry to make good quality paper.
This will reduce the import of calcium carbonate on the one hand, and on the other hand, by emitting less smoke, environmental pollution will also be reduced. Similarly, work is being done to recycle and reuse the water discharged from the industry after treatment. This will reduce ground water exploitation on the one hand and reduce water pollution on the other.
Here, we must remember that industrial development is a major factor in employment. I would like to inform you with pride that the Nepal Pulp and Paper Industry will create employment opportunities for more than 300 people directly and thousands indirectly. This includes engineers, technicians and factory workers to supply managers, retailers and farmers. We will provide opportunities for more than 50 percent of the locals and women. Our goal is for the industry to make a major contribution to the empowerment and empowerment of women in particular.
Our aim is not only to produce paper, but also to lead the campaign to promote self-reliance, job creation, and sustainable economic development.
Our business campaign has some priorities. First, to invest in areas that are prioritized by the country. Second, to invest in areas that directly benefit the largest number of citizens. And, third, to invest in areas that can become a long-term and necessary business for the country.
Our remittance, banking, insurance, information technology, hydropower, and tourism infrastructure businesses are all based on this priority. We believe that this factory can fulfill these priorities of ours.
Now I would like to add a few more things as the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
With the addition of the Covid pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Sri Lankan economic crisis and some of our own internal reasons, we also went through a period of economic recession. While countries around the world are announcing post-COVID packages, we have also made every effort to recover from the crisis. For that, we have moved forward with the private sector’s activity in the state’s plans. Due to which we have not been able to return to the old rhythm, but the efforts made to improve the economy have started showing positive signs. While the current government is working on improving the economy, we are moving forward with the support of the government.
We have immense potential to make the country’s economy dynamic. A proper environment is needed to attract domestic and foreign investors by highlighting these possibilities. The private sector is with the honorable Prime Minister’s national campaign for a prosperous Nepal and happy Nepalis.
We have realized that some of the laws introduced by the government in recent times will prove helpful in creating an investment-friendly environment in Nepal. We are advocating for this publicly. We also feel that the government is working closely with our suggestions in formulating the necessary policies and laws for the improvement and development of the economy in the country.
Whether domestic or foreign, investors look at whether work has been done in the field. Therefore, if such new big projects come into operation within a year, it will automatically mean that there is an investment environment in the country. Therefore, we feel that this project that came into operation today will also give a positive message about the investment environment in Nepal to a sufficient extent.
We are concerned that some issues that have come to the surface regarding the cable car to be built in Pathibhara will send a negative message towards the investment and business environment in the country. We have started the construction project of the cable car in Pathibhara at the repeated request of the local people, local government and provincial government there. This is not a new project, but a project based on local demand, and everyone has known this for about 7 years. The construction of the project has been started by keeping in mind all aspects of the project construction, such as the demands of the locals, the cultural values of the famous temple and the ecological balance, and with the consent and participation of all the residents of the district.
But when the work on the mega project started, there were attempts to obstruct it from outside the district. In such an environment, the private sector and the state have to think about what the investment situation will be in the future and whether investors will be ready for additional investment in such a situation. The obstacles seen in infrastructure construction work have raised concerns in the private sector about what message it will convey to investors around the world when it reaches a world where the development of information technology is becoming narrow.
We have seen various rich and prosperous countries of the world. How did those countries become rich and prosperous? How much contribution have the businessmen and entrepreneurs there made to making those countries rich and prosperous? For that, it does not seem to be taken into account the risk taken by businessmen and entrepreneurs and their hard work and diligence. An entrepreneurial entrepreneur takes a big risk and starts a business.
But still, those entrepreneurial entrepreneurs have invested. Many may think that any entrepreneurial entrepreneur does business only for personal profit or benefit. What difference does it make to us if they do not do business?
What happens when one person does not run a hotel? What happens when one person does not run a shop? What happens when one person does not run a bus? What happens when one person does not run an industry? What happens when one person does not build a hospital in a place? What happens when one entrepreneur does not run a school in a place? However, the reality is not like that. If the private sector, which contributes more than 81 percent to the country’s economy and more than 86 percent to employment, and those entrepreneurs and businessmen do not produce or if businessmen do not provide services, what will be our situation? What will be the situation of the state’s largest income, transportation, education, health, infrastructure and employment?
Another important thing is that the production of these entrepreneurs and businessmen has made the lives of many of us easier. Their industries and businesses have created jobs. Infrastructure has been developed from the taxes and revenues paid by those entrepreneurs. The state has been run.
The income a businessman earns is reinvested, jobs are created and additional taxes and revenues are paid to the state. The only difference between a normal person and an entrepreneur is that if a businessman earns only Rs 200,000, he takes a risk of Rs 100,000 and runs another business. He invests Rs 200,000 in equity and raises the remaining Rs 100,000 in loans from banks and financial institutions. This is what the private sector is supposed to do. For this, we should appreciate the hard work, dedication, and physical and mental stress that entrepreneurs put in 24 hours a day. We read the biographies of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Larry Ellison. We hear the statements of Tata, Ambani, and Adani. However, there is always a negative perception towards our entrepreneurs. This thinking needs to be changed. As long as this perception, consciousness, and perception persist, investment will not increase, the country will not be built, and prosperity will not come.
That is why I have said it repeatedly. I would like to humbly request the respected leaders of all political parties and the respected leadership of all organizations. All parties should stand together for infrastructure development, employment creation, services provided to the common citizen and the main source of revenue received by the state. Otherwise, you and your descendants will have to continue to suffer from deprivation, poverty and backwardness because of us. There will be no time to regret this.
Therefore, I urge you once again, let us not play politics with infrastructure development, economic development and the services, facilities and needs provided to the common citizen. Only if infrastructure is developed will the living standards of the citizens improve. Employment will be created. Revenue will increase and the country will prosper.
You have a changing world environment before us. Foreign grants and aid are decreasing. Therefore, there is no alternative to encouraging domestic entrepreneurs, job and revenue-generating workers. Let us move forward together on the journey towards prosperity, utilizing the immense possibilities provided by nature.
At this historic moment, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and various agencies under it, stakeholders in the private sector, media personnel and the general Nepali people who have supported and encouraged us.
(IME Group Chairman## On the occasion of the inauguration of Nepal Pulp and Paper Industries Pvt. Ltd., Chandra Prasad Dhakal expressed Idea##inline_tags_PLACEHOLDER_73)##inline_tags_PLACEHOLDER_73
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