About 733 acres of land in Jigmeling under Sarpang dzongkhag has been landmarked for the special economic zone. Stakeholders met on Monday in Gelegphu to kick-start the process to develop the zone.
The special economic zone at Jigmeling will have different kinds of industries and recreational facilities, among others. It is expected to create around 25,000 jobs according to the Chief Executive officer of DHI Infra, Dorji Namgay.
The work opportunities, according to Dorji Namgay, are administrative works opportunities, finance and accounting opportunities, technical skills, non-technical skills and labour employment. “So I think people from the VTI would have lot of opportunities. I believe engineers and support staffs have a lot of opportunities.”
He said the creation of the special economic zone will minimise rural-urban migration, promote brand Bhutan, diversify economic activities and promote balanced regional development.
Leki Gyeltshen, a resident Jigmeling pointed out that erecting high-tension electric pole on private land should be avoided. In case it cannot be done, he suggested compensating land with land to the affected owners.
The Regional Manager of Bhutan Power Corporation, said in case a private land is affected by erecting high-tension electric poles for mega projects, the affected party will be compensated either with land or money depending on the order from the National Land Commission. However, if a private land is affected by electric poles erected for personal use, it will not be eligible for any compensation.
The special economic zone spanning over 733 acres of land will be the biggest special economic zone in the country. About 40 acres of private land belonging to 28 households were acquired for the project apart from the government land.
