Speakers at the Lumbiniko Samarthya event in Bhairahawa on Wednesday underscored the need for stable policies, enhanced infrastructure, and stronger public-private collaboration to drive industrial growth in Lumbini Province.

Lumbini Province Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Bhumishwar Dhakal said discussions were underway with industrialists regarding developing an industrial corridor in the province.

At the event’s first session organised by Kantipur Media Group, he said the upcoming budget would prioritise industrial infrastructure development, particularly in electrification and transportation.

Dhakal acknowledged that despite efforts to promote industrialisation, entrepreneurs faced challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, policy instability, and high operational costs. He assured the business community that the provincial government was committed to creating a more favourable industrial climate by revising policies and investing in key infrastructure projects.

Rajesh Agarwal, industry committee chairperson of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, highlighted that despite multiple inaugurations of two industrial zones over the past two decades, their full potential remained unrealised due to unstable policies and lack of proper implementation.

He pointed out frequent policy shifts and bureaucratic hurdles deterred investors and hindered industrial growth. Agarwal stressed the need for a long-term industrial strategy, improved transportation networks, and reduced operational costs to enhance regional competitiveness.

Likewise, Finance Ministry Joint Secretary Shobhakant Paudel said linking industrial zones with the airport and major trade routes would transform Lumbini into a key economic hub. He said that over Rs200 billion had been spent on infrastructure development in Bhairahawa and that the private sector should actively participate to ensure economic returns from these investments.

Also speaking, Mausami Shrestha, executive director of Shreenagar Agro Farm Ltd, called for policy reforms to facilitate large-scale agricultural ventures.

She highlighted the difficulties in acquiring land and obtaining regulatory approvals, which discouraged investors from expanding their businesses. Shrestha emphasised that addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies and providing clear guidelines for large-scale farming operations would significantly boost the agricultural sector, thereby supporting overall industrial development in the province.