`Govt Indifferent to SSI Sector'

Only 50 per cent of the total two lakh cottage and small t scale industries established a are operating. Cottage p and small acale industrial- a ists during a programme to- p day complained that com- s pared to large scale indus- s tries, the small scale indus- C tries are deprived of facili- d ties for their promotion and a development. t Department of Cottage and Small Scale Industry i acting director Gokul t Prasad Dhital said, "Cottage and small scale industries in the rural areas need to t be developed, and for t this a public-private ap- p proach is essential." t He added that in total 10 P per cent industrial GDP, t small scale industries con- t ribute 90 per cent to it.

here are more than 40,000 ower level small industrialsts. According to Federaion of Nepalese Cottage nd Small Industry (FNCSI) resident Lata Pyakurel, s there is no separate lan and policy for mall scale industries this ector is always overlooked.

ompared to large scale industries, small industries re bound to pay more inerest on loans.

"We need a separate minstry and plans for this secor," said Pyakurel.

Minister of Industries Mahendra Yadav assured of he development of indusries through the industrial olicy. Minister Yadav said he proposal for Industrial olicy has been passed to he financial committee of he cabinet and the Ministry along with the Home Ministry is working to ensure industrial security.

Speaking on the occasion, Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) president Bikas Ratna Dhakwa focused on the introduction of needbased programme and its exact and effective evaluation. Dhakwa said handicrafts are exported to 42 countries and export increased by 13 per cent over the last fiscal year's.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry vice-president Pradeep Jung Pandey said an investment-friendly environment was lacking. State Minister for Industries Dan Bahadur Chaudhary state minister called for resource mobilisation and utilisation.