51 individuals wanting to set up manufacturing units are allotted a plot each at the Special Economic Zone in Jigmiling, Sarpang. Around 10 individuals have even acquired construction approvals to establish firms in the area, last year. But only one manufacturing unit could start construction works as of today.
Eco-tech Bhutan an industrial firm that plans to produce eco-friendly packaging materials is the only firm that started construction works at the zone.
“We have completed constructing boundary wall and earth cutting. Even civil works and internal foundation works are nearing completion. We have also acquired almost half of the required machine at the site,” said Gyan Prasad Siwakoti, owner of Eco-tech Bhutan.
The firm collects waste papers from across the country and recycles them into packaging materials including cartoon boxes to replace plastics.
“We will collect and recycle all the paper wastes. This will help make our country clean. The firm will also provide employment opportunity to around 200 youth.” The firm has employed nine graduates of the technical training institute. He is facing a shortage of technical expert to install machine once the structure is complete. He said the completion of the project could delay if the COVID-19 situation doesn’t improve as it will become more difficult to hire technical experts from outside. Eco-tech Bhutan plans to complete its construction by early 2022.
“We don’t have expert in our country to set up machine. except for Durgapur, Assam and West Bengal do not have factory like mine. We have to get experts and machine from Ahmadabad.”
BBS couldn’t get in touch with all the 10 individuals who got construction approvals to establish firms. Our reporter caught up with Kezang Wangdi, who wants to set up a castor oil manufacturing unit in the economic zone. Kezang says he couldn’t begin his works as he is currently processing loan. He said, despite waiting for more than a year, he is yet to receive loan.
The Special Economic Zone at Jigmiling is spread across an area of around 760 acres taken on lease for 20 years. The zone has all the basic infrastructure in place including a primary road network and electricity supply.
Karma Wangdi
