Returnee migrant worker turned factory owner

Baniyani –An iron panel pin factory has been established at Jamunabari of Kankai Municipality in Jhapa, the first of its kind in the district. Dipak Chapagain, a 37-year-old returnee migrant worker, setup the factory with the investment of around 7 million rupees. 

South Korea returnee Chapagain said that he founded the ‘Diamond Steel Factory’ by analyzing the potential market of the iron panel pin. Chapagain worked for five years in South Korea as a foreign migrant worker after completing his Bachelor’s Level in Nepal. 

“I worked for five years in South Korea. I have initiated my own business venture aiming to be self-reliant at home from the hard-earned money there (in South Korea),” he shared. 

The factory has already produced the first lot of the pins, he said, adding that six types of pins would be produced by the end of this fiscal year including knot bolt, steel cupboard and others. 

So far, altogether three machines including two iron panel pin developing equipments and one for polishing have been fixed at the cost of Rs 1.8 million. 

According to Chapagain, the factory produces around 1,700 to 2,000 kgs of pins and per kg iron panel pin was sold for Rs 96 in the market. The productions would be sold in the markets of the surrounding districts, Chapagain shares his market areas. 

“In South Korea, I worked for ship producing companies. Now, I am using my skills at home that I acquired there,” migrant turned factory worker Chapagian added. 

According to Chapagain, he visited Kolkata of India to take stock about raw materials and equipments prior to establishing the factory. 

Stating that good income was possible from hard works at home, Chapagain has also created employment for four other persons in his enterprise. 

He was of the opinion that foreign employment was not a good and sustainable option for livelihood though it could be a tool for capital formation. 

Likewise, Chapagain has purchased 52 kattha of land plot in Mechinagar Municipality-7 in the district to establish a joint venture factory for producing Harpic and other chemical substances 
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