Nepal can grow faster: ADB's Rahman

With peace returning to the country, Nepal can grow by seven per cent, opined a senior Asian Development Bank (ADB) official.
"But Nepal remains in transition and we are keenly watching the challenges," said ADB director general of South Asia Department Sultan Hafeez Rahman talking to the press here today.
The challenges will be overcome but continued delay in reaching to peace will be harshly judged by the history, he warned, adding that currently the macroeconomic indicators, however, look hopeful and the country will see economic growth.
The ADB has committed to aligning its assistance programmes to Nepal with the country's emerging development needs and priorities, said Rahman, who is in Kathmandu recently.
"ADB appreciates the government's efforts to accelerate and conclude the constitution drafting process by the deadline while also staying focused on long term development goals," he said, adding that the country is in line to meet a number of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) like poverty reduction.
During his three-day visit, Rahman, apart from introducing ADB's new country director for Nepal Kenichi Yokoyama, met with Finance Minister, chief secretary and senior government officials.
The ADB's newly appointed Country Director for Nepal Kenichi Yokoyama is the water resource expert and economist, who will assume his duties in Nepal in the third week of March.