KATHMANDU: The government is preparing for the beginning of commercial venture of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), a lucrative business in the field of civil aviation industry.

The government is working for the establishment of an MRO company in the country in a bid to encourage the aviation sector by utilizing millions of cash that is sent abroad in the name of maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on Monday held talks to operate the MRO institution under the public-private partnership modality.

Minister for Tourism Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai and the Ministry’s top officials received feedback from the experts and airlines operators on the concept, modality and investment for the operation of MRO institution in the country.

The Ministry has said that process for setting up the institution is forwarded by forming a committee.

Experts argue that MRO carries a good potential and is lucrative as well because Nepal has skilled human resources for this field and the infrastructures are also developed.

Nepal Airlines Corporation alone spends more than $400,000 annually for MRO while the private airlines supposedly spend $1.5 million to $2 million.

Minister Bhattarai is of the opinion that a state of the art MRO institution could be operated in the country with Nepalis human resources at first and then by welcoming foreigners gradually.

He said that this institution has relevancy in Nepal since it is a lucrative business in the aviation industry and the domestic capital would be utilized at home for job creation as well as to enhance the confidence of the aviation field.