Increasing Number of Industry and Business Closures in Gulmi Amid Declining New Registrations
The number of industries and businesses closing in Gulmi has steadily increased over the past five fiscal years, surpassing new registrations. In the fiscal year 2082/083 BS, a total of 284 industries and businesses closed in the district, while only 57 new ones were registered. According to Rajiv Aryal, Chief of the Domestic and Small Industries Office, this trend has emerged partly because businesses with capital up to five lakh rupees can now be registered directly with local governments, and many firms close after repaying loans. (22 Shrawan, Gulmi)
Data from the Domestic and Small Industries Office in Gulmi shows a rising trend of closures among small industries and commercial firms. In the fiscal year 2082/083 BS, 139 industry-related and 145 commercial firms closed, totaling 284 closures, whereas only 57 new industries and businesses were registered during the same period. Additionally, 899 businesses renewed their registrations. Enterprise Development Facilitator Trivikrama Gyawali reported that the office collected 1,309,175 rupees in taxes.
In the previous fiscal year 2081/082 BS, 263 industries and 320 commercial firms closed, totaling 583 closures. During that year, 110 new industries and businesses were registered (58 in industry and 52 in commerce). There were 1,140 business renewals, and revenue collection reached 4,774,235 rupees. In the fiscal year 2080/081 BS, a total of 159 industries ceased operations—including 9 manufacturing, 50 agricultural and forest-based, 65 tourism-related, and 38 service sectors—while 187 private commercial firms also closed.
That year, 73 industries and 63 commercial firms were newly registered, totaling 136 new businesses. During the same period, 295 industrial and 429 commercial businesses renewed their registrations. Revenue collection amounted to 2,476,005 rupees. Rajiv Aryal explained that the implementation of local-level registration for businesses with capital up to five lakh rupees has led to a decrease in new registrations at the office. He added that some businesses register primarily to obtain loans and shut down after settling debts. Factors such as inadequate returns from business activities, lack of entrepreneurial interest among younger generations, and elderly guardians being unable to continue operations have also contributed to the increasing trend of business closures. Aryal emphasized that even firms currently operating have shown a growing tendency to shut down in recent years.