Nepal greenhouse centre reopens

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One of the biggest companies operating in Nepal has reopened a greenhouse plant it shut after saying Maoist rebels had threatened it.

Dabur Nepal said the local village council has assured security for the plant in Banepa, near Kathmandu.

Last Thursday senior company officials complained of a Maoist threat, which the rebels later denied.

In May dozens of companies suspended operations saying they could not cope with financial extortion by the rebels.

The UN has accused Maoists of extortion in the past.

The Nepalese government signed a peace deal with rebels last November to end a 10-year insurgency.

'Regrettable'

More than $1m has been invested in the Dabur Nepal's greenhouse plant - a subsidiary of Dabur India that produces rare herbal plants.

"We have been assured by the Maoists that work will continue peacefully in the greenhouse," a statement issued by the company said.

The plant grows a wide variety of local herbs and provides livelihood to thousands of farmers in the country.

Announcing the closure of the plant last week, Dabur Nepal's chief executive officer had described it as "a regrettable thing which will put all joint ventures on the back foot".

Dabur's other multi-million dollar factory, located south of Kathmandu, had not been affected by the announcement.

Last year, Maoist trade unionists had allegedly demanded a tax equivalent of more than $1m from the company.