Kathmandu. Hetauda – The government is preparing to reopen the garment industry in Hetauda which has been closed for long. The government is preparing to start test production in the initial phase with the goal of operating the industry in a long-term manner.

The study task force formed by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies on Monday handed over the report on resumption of industries to Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav. The task force formed under the coordination of Ram Bandhu Subedi, chief of the Administration and Corporation Division of the Ministry, submitted the report along with the steps taken for the resumption of industries, the progress made so far and the future action plan.

According to the Ministry, necessary preparations have already been started for the trial run of the industry. According to the Ministry, the Nepal Army has started preparations for the repair and test production of the machines in the industry based on the budget allocated by the Ministry of Finance.

According to the report, the Nepal Army has set a target to start trial production from the Hetauda Textile Industry within the next two months as per the directive given by the government. Necessary preparations are being expedited within the industry keeping this deadline in mind.

Following the proposal of the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Finance has released a budget of Rs 33 lakh to the account of the Nepal Army’s Directorate of Military Equipment Production in the third week of June. According to the report, the budget has facilitated the initial work required for test production.

A technical team of Nepal Army has been mobilized at the factory premises after being given the responsibility to operate the factory. According to the report, the team has intensified cleaning work inside the factory, purchased raw materials required for test production and a technical team of the Directorate of Military Materials Production has started repairing the machines.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development has submitted an estimated cost of Rs 5 million for the repair of physical infrastructure and infrastructure of the industry. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development has taken the responsibility of repairing the buildings and other structures of the industry on the basis of this estimate.

The Hetauda Industrial Area Management Office is carrying out repair of the electricity system inside the industry. According to the report, the repair of electricity required for the operation of the industry has been completed.

It is stated in the report that the old machines in the industry will be repaired for the time being. Based on the results of the test production, a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared to operate the industry in its full capacity in the long term. Based on this, necessary legal and policy decisions will be taken to run the industry in a long-term manner, the report said.

Receiving the report, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Gauri Kumari Yadav, said the government has accorded high priority to revival of the Hetauda garment industry. He also expressed commitment that the Ministry would provide necessary coordination, facilitation and support to start test production within the stipulated time based on the suggestions given by the taskforce.