Plans to ensure physical infrastructure for Nepali embassies and missions

Kathmandu / Aug 18: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, has said that the government plans to reduce rental cost by constructing residential buildings for Nepali embassies and missions abroad.

Responding to queries from lawmakers in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, he said that buildings for Nepali missions abroad shall be constructed in a way that reflects Nepal’s own identity and characteristics.

The Foreign Minister also shared that Rs 1.03 billion was spent on housing for Nepali missions abroad in the last fiscal year, which is about 17 per cent of the total budget allocated for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the same year.

According to him, although land has been purchased for the residence of Nepali missions and ambassadors in places such as Islamabad, Riyadh, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat, Canberra, Beijing, construction has not started due to lack of clear legal provisions regarding the construction of public buildings abroad. A consultant has been appointed to prepare the architectural and engineering work and cost estimate for the construction of the Nepali Embassy building in Canberra.

Minister Khanal informed that after the current government came to power, the mortal remains of 160 Nepalis who died during employment in various foreign countries were returned home. RSS