Average capacity utilisation of Nepali industriesrose to 58 per cent by the first sixth month of the current fiscal 2017-18,compared to 54.2 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal,according to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).

High capacity utilisation of industrial plants means Nepaliindustries are becoming efficient in production of goods. Capacity utilisationof domestic industries is currently at the highest level, when data of the lastfive years is compared. This shows improving scenario in industrial sector, asper the central bank.

The Economic Activities report of the central bank was preparedbased on the study of major industries in seven economic blocs of the country –Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi.The capacity utilisation of industries improved along with regular electricitysupply and end to frequent strikes from political parties and labour unions,according to the central bank report.

Capacity utilisation of soft drinks saw significant improvement to99.93 per cent in the first half of 2017-18 compared to 83.61 per cent in thecorresponding period of the previous fiscal.

Similarly, the capacity utilisation of pashmina-related industriesrose to 99.64 per cent in the review period compared to 89.33 per cent in theprevious fiscal. “High capacity utilisation of export-oriented industries likepashmina means there is potential of increasing export of pashmina products,”said Nara Bahadur Thapa, executive director of Research Department at NRB,adding the report has urged industrialists to raise the installed capacity oftheir industries.

Likewise, capacity utilisation of other export-orientedindustries, namely readymade garments (RMGs) went up to 72.85 per cent from58.63 per cent in the corresponding period of previous fiscal.

Most importantly, the report has also shed light on increasingcapacity utilisation of industries that produce construction materials, likecement, rods, among others, and the potential of consumption of constructionmaterials, as the post-earthquake reconstruction and construction of governmentbuildings, infrastructure is peaking in the sub-national governments..

The capacity utilisation of sugar industries was the lowest at20.55 per cent in the review period. Though the government has aimed atbecoming self-reliant in sugar production, the capacity utilisation of thisindustry was substantially lower than the average for Nepali industries. Thecentral bank report has highlighted that the sugar mills have failed tomaximise their installed capacity utilisation due to lack of raw materials(sugarcane) in the crushing season.

“Farmers are discouraged to grow sugarcane as the sugar factorieshave huge outstanding dues with cane growers,” said the NRB report, “This coulddampen the government’s plan to be self-reliant in sugar production in thecountry if the fundamental problem is not addressed timely.”

Thapa of NRB said that the increase in capacity utilisation willcontribute towards rise of industrial output and ultimately support to raiseeconomic growth. The share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP)stood at 9.2 per cent in 2000-01, but it has been gradually coming down in therecent years. It stood at just 5.4 per cent in the current fiscal.

In this context, increasing capacity utilisation could revitalisethe Nepali industries that were badly affected due to the political insurgencyalong with compounded problems like frequent strikes, labour unrest, erraticpower supply and high interest rate of bank’s credit, among other, according toHari Bhakta Sharma, president of Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI).“The government and private sector should work together to lower the cost ofproduction by resolving various inefficiencies in our system and make ourproduction more competitive.”

The central bank has been publishing the report twice a year – onhalf-yearly and annual basis.

Comparative figures of H1

FY 2013-14 ……………………49.9%

FY 2014-15…………………….51.3%

FY 2015-16……………………..48%

FY 2016-17…………………….54.2%

FY 2017-18……………………..58%

Source:The Himalayan Times, 6^th June 2018