Finance Minister pledges for development of Nijgadh airport

 Kathmandu, June 4

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma Prabhakar has expressed his commitment to build an international airport at Nijgadh of Bara district.

Addressing the 46th general assembly of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BICCI) on Saturday afternoon, he expressed his commitment. "Nijgadh airport should be built, and it shall be built. This is my commitment," he said, according to his secretariat.

He further maintained that this government has given high priority to Nijgadh Airport.

Minister Sharma said that Nijgadh Airport was necessary not only as an alternative to Tribhuvan International Airport but also for the overall economic development of Madhes Province, and the country.

He said that it was necessary to connect Nijgadh Airport and Kathmandu-Terai Expressway together. "An expressway is being built to connect Madhes with Kathmandu by the shortest link. Not only vehicles will run on it, but also national and international passengers will be able to travel on the expressway," said FM Sharma.

Meanwhile, he informed that necessary process would be taken forward for the operation of Birgunj Sugar Factory. Before arriving at the BICCI, a team comprising Finance Minister Sharma, Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini, Chief of Revenue Management Division and Joint Secretary Bhupal Baral inspected the factory on Saturday morning.

On the occasion, the employees informed that the sugar mill was operational.

"The budget for running the Birgunj Sugar Mill has been included in the budget. It is not a joke. The government has included this programme in the budget following a thorough study on its potential," he said. FM Sharma also sought the cooperation from the industrialists of Birgunj area for the same.

He assured that the demands of industrialists and businessmen of Birgunj have been addressed a lot through the budget and government policies and programmes.

 During the programme, businessmen and people's representatives of the area complained that Birgunj was neglected by the central government. Minister Sharma said that the projects like Pathlaiya-Birgunj corridor, Nijgadh airport and expressway, reopening of sugar factory, dry port and construction of integrated check post would speed up the development of the area.

Meanwhile, our correspondent in Birgunj reported that FM Sharma maintained that he had tried to build a sustainable economy by increasing domestic production, protecting indigenous industries by giving discounts on electricity, and providing 8 per cent incentive on exports, as well as creating one level difference in tariffs on finished goods and raw materials.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Secretary Marasini said that Birgunj has become a lifeline for industry and trade. Stating that the budget has come in a difficult economic situation, he said that efforts have been made to change the destiny of Nepal and Nepalis by leading the economy in the right direction.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 June 2022.