The private sectors’ umbrella organisations--- Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) ---have expressed their serious concern over the declared and undeclared load-shedding in the industrial sector of the country.

In recent times, irregular and unannounced power outages of up to 12 hours in various industrial sectors across the country are seriously affecting industrial production and the business environment, said the FNCCI issuing a press statement on Thursday.

The FNCCI said that industries are facing operational problems due to power cuts by the Nepal Electricity Authority.

"Regular and sudden power outages are disrupting the continuous operation of industries, causing unexpected impacts on the production process and resulting in a huge decline in production," read the press statement. Similarly, industries are facing a huge financial burden due to frequent disturbances in power supply, which damages machinery and other equipment.

Such disruptions are likely to affect the modest improvement seen in the country's economy and increase the risk of economic crisis in the long term, the FNCCI said.

In this context, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted, reliable and regular power supply to the industrial sector.

It also urges further investment in energy infrastructure, facilitating energy supply and strengthening continuous dialogue and collaboration with the private sector to accelerate the country's industrialization.

Similarly, the CNI has also said that its serious attention was drawn to the load shedding in industries, the backbone of the economy.

Some time ago, the Nepal Electricity Authority exported electricity by causing load shedding in Nepal's industries.

The non-availability of electricity in industries has increased production costs and has a serious impact on production, said the CNI.

"Now, the Authority has again harassed the industries by imposing load shedding for up to 12 hours a day. Such an act has seriously affected the investment environment in the country and has compelled the entrepreneurs to seriously consider establishing and expanding industries," the CNI said.

While the government is trying to promote domestic industries, improve laws to boost the morale of the private sector and create an investment environment, the frequent power cuts by the Authority, a government agency, on domestic industries have left the industry in disarray, it said.

"Electricity is a raw material for any industry. Without raw materials, it is not possible to produce any product. Therefore, the Confederation appeals to the government and the concerned parties to immediately make arrangements for regular supply of electricity to the industries," read the press statement.