PM urges AIIB for concessional loan to Nepal; govt. employees to work with integrity

Kathmandu / March 25: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has urged the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to ensure a policy for providing concessional loans to Nepal.

During a courtesy meeting with a delegation led by RMP Rathnayake, the AIIB director, the Prime Minister said, “Nepal still needs concessions in borrowings as AIIB does not have such window. In fact, this market rate pricing is restricting Nepal to access to AIIB financing. As you are policymakers, I urge you all to consider this,” according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

Stating the government is focused on achieving a high economic growth target simultaneously with good governance, institutional development, social justice and prosperity, the Prime Minister said, hoping for the AIIB’s support in financing, technical assistance, knowledge sharing and mobilizing private capital in this process.

The PM said that currently there are a few projects under AIIB investment in Nepal in the energy sector and there are ample possibilities for investment in hydropower tourism, information technology and other infrastructure projects. He urged the AIIB to consider the investment in these areas.

“It has been agreed to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India and to Bangladesh as well. This has paved the way for Nepal’s energy trade,” he said.

Recalling Nepal’s schedule to host the Third Nepal Investment Summit ( NIC) next month (April 28-29), the Prime Minister expressed his hope that there would a high-level participation from the AIIB in the event, contributing to building an investment-friendly atmosphere for areas of priorities in Nepal.

He also appraised the delegation that Nepal has revised its policies aiming to promote private and foreign investment, and he urged the AIIB to invest confidently in Nepal.

The delegation led by Rathnayake comprised the AIIB vice president and other senior officials.

On the occasion, Rathnayake said AIIB accorded top priority to Nepal as being its founding member and the Bank is positive for increasing its investment in its development endeavours.

PM urges govt. employees to work with integrity

Meanwhile in another program, the Prime Minister has directed the civil servants to discharge their duty with integrity. The PM pledged to ensure an environment conducive to any of the government employees working with a good intention.

At a regular meeting of the government secretaries at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday, PM Prachanda assured that he would shoulder the difficulties if the civil servants face any challenge during their respective work execution. “(Officials) don’t work under fear and terror of anyone. You have nothing to fear while working as per the law,” the PM said.

On the occasion, PM Prachanda said the government after the new alliance has come up with new energy, new thoughts, objectives, priorities and action plan, and instructed the government officials to work accordingly.

“Politics and administrators are the inseparable parts of a government. I am confident that you will work with more zeal and energy,” the PM said while thanking the civil servants for their support made so far in his third stint as the head of the government.

Reiterating that good governance was his priority, the PM said, “I will not do anything against the nation and law, and I am confident you too will do so.”

On the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the capital expenditure of the government was not satisfactory till the third quarter of the current fiscal year. RSS