Indian companies resume work in Nepal

Firms breathe easy after maoists withdraw threat.

Indian enterprises resumed operations in Nepal today, a day after Maoists withdrew their diktat seeking the closure of 47 companies.

The three largest Indian-owned concerns in the neighbouring country, ITC's Surya Nepal, Dabur Nepal and HLL's Nepal Levers Ltd, reopened their factories and offices after several days. Coca-Cola bottlers Bottlers' Nepal and Bottlers' Nepal Terai too resumed operations.

An ITC spokesperson confirmed that the company's Nepalese arm had resumed operations. A month back, Surya Nepal had decided to suspend its operations on the demands of the Akhil Nepal Mazdoor Trade Union, which had charged the company with "exploitation of workers" and "espionage".

Dabur Nepal, which had shut down its greenhouse about a month ago, reopened it today. The company's factory at Birgunj had not stopped operations during the crisis.

"The greenhouse is a nursery where medicinal herbs are grown. These are given to farmers to grow in their fields and the company buys back the crop. The closure will at best delay the delivery of the crop by a couple of weeks," Dabur Nepal CEO G Kashinath told Business Standard, when asked about the impact of the month-long closure of the greenhouse.

He ruled out any possibility of the greenhouse being relocated to India or other any other part of Nepal.

"Nepal Levers Ltd had commenced a few days ago necessary repairs to its plant and equipment, and factory operations are being resumed in a phased manner," a Hindustan Levers Ltd spokesperson said. Nepal Levers accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) market in Nepal.

Videocon, which had also closed down its assembly plant near Kathmandu following Maoist threats, is still assessing the situation. Earlier, the company had said it did not intend to start operations for the next six months.

Other companies like Soaltee Crowne Plaza, a five star-hotel in which the Oberoi Group has a 6 per cent stake, also restarted operations.

Nepalese companies have also restarted operations with the Nepalese government agreeing to release two activists of the rebel-affiliated trade union and disclosing the whereabouts of 28 other extremists.

---

Back in business

Dabur Nepal, which had shut down its greenhouse about a month ago, reopened it today

ITC's Surya Nepal and HLL's Nepal Levers Ltd also reopened their factories and offices

Coca-Cola bottlers Bottlers' Nepal and Bottlers' Nepal Terai too resumed operations