BARA, Oct 15: Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Ramesh Rijal has emphasized giving priority to locals in the jobs available at the Simara Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

During a discussion on topics related to Simara SEZ with people's representatives, industrialists, traders, civil society leaders, and locals in Simara on Saturday, Rijal insisted on giving the first priority to the residents of Bara and Parsa districts in employment opportunities in Simara SEZ.

Minister Rijal suggested that there should not be any protests against industrial action inside the SEZ. He said facilities would be provided to the entrepreneurs choosing to run industries from the SEZ. A lawmaker from Bara constituency number 4, Kisan Shrestha, suggested providing land inside the SEZ to industrialists free of cost. "A situation has arisen due to the economic slump in which the industrialists are in a mood to return the land within SEZ they have leased. So, the land rent should be made free while the provision requiring an industry to export 60 percent of its production should be lowered to 30 percent," he said.

Jeetpur Simara Sub-metropolitan City Mayor, Rajan Poudel, said the six-lane road linking the East-West Highway and the Birgunj Dry Port Road should be connected and expanded to at least 40 meters wide for easy access to the SEZ.

Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Ramesh Prasad Niraula, SEZ executive director Chandika Bhatta, Mayor Poudel, local ward chairpersons, representatives of various political parties, and locals took part in the discussions. On the occasion, the locals demanded that they be given priority in employment offerings inside the SEZ, while civil society representatives called on the government to facilitate the smooth operation of industries inside the SEZ.

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