The three industrial parks in Samtse, Sarpang, and Samdrup Jongkhar are almost complete. According to the economic affairs ministry, industrial parks are expected to boost the country’s economy and create employment opportunities. This was highlighted during the Mid-term Review of the economic affairs ministry recently.
The ministry has been concentrating on developing industrial parks in the past two and a half years.
At the Dhamdhum Industrial Park in Samtse and Jigmeling Industrial Estate in Gelephu, the development of basic amenities like electricity, water supply, and roads are almost 75 per cent complete. Work progress is at 61 per cent in Samdrup Jongkhar’s Motanga Industrial Park
“The focus was on the industrial park. It had been lying like that for many years. We had focused on the development of the industrial park. Industries are very important, industrial park development has to be a fast track,” said Loknath Sharma, the Minister of economic affairs ministry.
Today, three industries are in operation, one in Dhamdum and two at Montanga. The minister said the COVID-19 pandemic hampered developmental works at the parks. However, the ministry expects 20 industries to be fully operational by next year.
“We would like to take forward the diversification of trading and diversification of product. So, when we say economic diversification, it also means diversification of products, manufacturing production and it also means diversification of the market,” Lyonpo added.
Besides the three industrial parks which are underway, there are already two industrial parks in the country.
Pema Seldon Tshering
