The final breakthrough of the Nagdhunga main tunnel

Much anticipated breakthrough of the Nagdhunga Tunnel finally came true today. However, it will take another one year to finally moving the vehicles through the tunnel.

The excavation of the 2,688 m-long main tunnel was successfully completed, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka, on the occasion, congratulated all the people concerned, both Japanese and Nepalis, in overcoming so many challenges to reach this momentous milestone stating “You are the pride of country.”

The Nagdhunga Tunnel is the very first mountainous traffic road tunnel in Nepal. Worth Rs 22 billion, three-quarters of which is supported by the government of Japan

with highly concessional loans to Nepal, the construction work is contracted to Japanese engineering companies and they are making every effort for the sake of development of Nepal, the press note reads.

When it is finished after remaining interior work such as lining and connecting equipment, the convenience of traffic will be greatly improved, it reads, adding that it will be extremely significant for the promotion of the local economy as well.

The construction of the tunnel commenced in 2019. Digging a tunnel in the Himalayan mountainous region, which is still growing and has intricate strata, is an unimaginably difficult challenge. “The inside of the evacuation and main tunnels were repeatedly hit by unexpected floods and collapses during the extremely difficult excavation work,” it adds. “Outside the tunnels, heavy rain caused landslides on the slope faces and the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the progress.”

The Japanese teams has been working together with Nepali teams to take on technical challenges in the site, based on their experience in the construction of Sindhuli road, known as BP highway, which was also supported by the Government of Japan.

The project provides a unique opportunity to transfer advanced Japanese skills to young Nepali engineers, the press it would surely benefit the Nepali people in the future. “The Embassy of Japan believes that this project will be instrumental for Nepal in achieving sustainable economic development and further deepening of cordial relationship between Japan and Nepal.”

JICA, Dolma Impact sign $10 million investment pact to aid growth

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) today signed a $10 million investment agreement with Dolma Impact Fund II, focusing investments in renewable energy, technology and healthcare in Nepal.

The fund also contributes to gender equality and fulfills the criteria in the ‘2X Challenge: Financing for Women’, an initiative adopted by the G7 development finance institutions, including JICA, on the occasion of the G7 Leaders' Summit in June 2018, according to a press note issued by JICA and Dolma Impact Fund, jointly. 

According to Dolma Impact Fund, the project will contribute to sustainable development goals – Goal 5 (Gender equality), Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy), and Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth).

Chief executive officer of Dolma Impact Fund Tim Gocher, while addressing the signing ceremony in Kathmandu through the virtual medium, said Nepal would see a huge increase in foreign direct investments in the coming future that would create more jobs, prosperity and stronger industrial development.

The Dolma Impact Fund has $100 million under management and has invested in 12 companies across energy, healthcare and technology.

“Nepal needs more aid in hospitals, trained doctors and nurses and medicines manufactured domestically, so that the country can support itself in a future crisis,” Gocher said, adding that Dolma is further investing in renewable energy apart from the existing 46.5 megawatt project (MW), with JICA. “We just do not promote and build renewable energy, we promote the capital markets too, so that more investors come into the sector.”

The Fund has invested in companies like CloudFactory, Fusemachines, Sastodeal, Upaya City Cargo, and Foodmandu. “About 15,000 employees have been created in companies that the Fund has invested in,” said Gocher.

“This is our first partnership with an investment partner in Nepal,” senior deputy director-general of the Private Sector Partnership and Finance Department of JICA Jin Wakabayashi said, adding that Dolma Impact Fund is a leading private equity fund and JICA is excited to partner with such a fund and contribute to the development of Nepal.

JICA has been supporting the Investment Board of Nepal to strengthen sources for investments, he said, adding that JICA has also been in technical cooperation for hydropower projects. “Recently, JICA has started a new technical cooperation project to support entrepreneurs in Nepal.”

JICA's investment will be mainly utilised for equity investment in healthcare companies, IT and digital companies, and renewable energy projects in Nepal. JICA’s investment is part of the final close of Dolma Impact Fund II, which brings the fund corpus to $71.96 million.

“Nepal is facing the challenge of a hollowing out of industry caused by the increased number of migrant workers, which, in turn, is due to a lack of promising domestic industries and job opportunities in Nepal,” the press note reads, adding that the fosterage of promising industries such as healthcare and the IT and digital sector, therefore, is urgently needed in Nepal. 

Dolma Fund Management contributes to the development of the stock market and the private equity fund market in Nepal.

Although Nepal experienced a temporary economic downturn due to the earthquake in 2015, the economy has revived since then and the country is now expected to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category by 2026. On the other hand, Nepal is facing the

challenge of a hollowing out of industry caused by the increased number of migrant workers, which in turn is due to the lack of promising domestic industries and job opportunities in Nepal.

Therefore, the fosterage of promising industries such as healthcare and the IT/digital sector is urgently needed in Nepal, the press note reads. “In some areas, however, Nepal has a natural advantage, being blessed with abundant water resources and an economically viable hydropower generation potential estimated at around 42,000 MW. Hence, Nepal is expected to expand its renewable generation capacity to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in South Asia.”

DFM manages impact investment funds that promote industrial development, employment creation, and renewable energy development.

JICA to support programme for elevating international migrants

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) today signed a Record of Discussions with the government for the ‘Project on Career Development and Entrepreneurship Support Programme for International Migrants’, a technical cooperation project.

The project will be implemented for Career Development and Entrepreneurship Support Programme of the returnee migrants from Japan aiming at enhancing their information access and developing their capacity so that the industrial development of Nepal can be promoted, according to a press note issued by the JICA. The project adopts a demand-driven approach that supports returnee migrants, who want to acquire skills and competencies and further implement their acquired knowledge for establishing a productive business/career in Nepal eventually contributing to the economic development of Nepal, it reads, adding that the project intends to fulfill Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 8 ‘Decent Work & Economic Growth.’

The project plans to appoint mentors who continuously provide training to the returnees recipients for enhancing their capacity in career planning and entrepreneurship throughout the migration flow (pre -migration, while-in Japan and after returning).

The total period of the project is five years  from 2023 to 2027 and the Implementing Agency for the project is Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) and Foreign Employment Board (FEB), the press note of the Japanese development agency further reads.

Japan’s new cooperation to improve access to clean, safe water starts in Biratnagar

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement with the government in Kathmandu today, to provide grant aid of up to 2.541 billion yen (equivalent to Rs 2.7 billion) for ‘The Project for the Improvement of Water Supply in Biratnagar.’

The project intends to upgrade and expand water supply facilities in the Biratnagar Metropolitan City contributing to the development of social and economic infrastructure, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu.

Despite being the densely populated industrial city and the capital of Province 1, the city lacks adequate and potable water supply largely due to low quantity of water and dilapidated pipelines. “The project envisions to ensure adequate access to safe water for around 100,000 people in Biratnagar City by constructing and upgrading facilities like water treatment plants, clear water reservoirs, distribution main pipelines to name a few,” it reads.

In addition, serving as a countermeasure against infectious diseases, including Covid-19, the Project aims to contribute not only to the achievement of SDGs Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) but also to Goal 3 (good health and well-being).

The signing marks another step of consistent support of Japanese assistance to Nepal in water supply sector, one of the fundamental sectors for socio economic development, the embassy press note adds.

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka, and finance secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini signed the notes to this effect today.

Likewise, another grant agreement for implementing the project was signed by the chief representative of JICA Nepal Okubo Akimitsu, and joint secretary at the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division of the Finance Ministry Ishwori Prasad Aryal.

This project aims to enhance the living standard of the people of Biratnagar City by renovating and expanding the water supply facilities, thereby broadening the water supply area in Biratnagar, according to the Finance Ministry. At present, people in Biratnagar have to depend on shallow wells to get water for daily household use and have been affected by shortage of safe drinking water.

“The Government of Japan has been providing multifaceted assistance for the betterment of the living standard of Nepali citizens,” Japan’s ambassador to Nepal Kikuta said, adding that Japan extended multiple support, including timely vaccine support to prevent and control Covid-19.

“This time, our assistance is providing safe water which is of vital importance for human life,” he said, expressing his hope that the support will be effectively utilised to upgrade the living standard of people in Biratnagar. “Japan is committed to extending all possible assistance to Nepal in its endeavor for nation-building and strengthening the friendly relationship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.”

JICA to support strengthening of seed production, supply and quality control system

JICA signed Record of Discussions with the government for the technical cooperation project 'Strengthening Seed Production, Supply and Quality Control System Project'.

The implementation period of the project is for 5 years (starting from March 2022 to March 2027) and the executing agency is Seed Quality Control Center (SQCC), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), and Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoLMAC) of province No 1, according to a press note issued by the JICA.

The project shall be implemented in Province 1, mainly Jhapa, Morang, Sunasari and Udayapur districts, it reads, adding that the purpose of the project is 'to strengthen Rice seed production, supply and quality control system' to improve productivity of rice by means of dissemination of quality improved seeds in Province No 1 and to strengthen the implementation of the rice seed production, supply and quality control system in Nepal. 

Rice is fundamental crop of Nepali agriculture. Everyone eats it, and farmers gain income out of it. In order to make crop tasty, nutritious, and productive, the most important factor remains the quality of rice seeds.

Even though rice farming contributes around 15 per cent to the gross domestic production (GDP) of Nepal, there is still possibility to increase its yield therefore usage of improved seed and increasing the replacement rate of seed are the key.

According to the statistic, seed replacement rate of rice in Nepal is around 20 per cent now, therefore, the government has the strategy to raise the percentage to 25 per cent. And it is estimated that the use of improved seeds with good quality will increase its yield by 15 per cent. However, there are several processes before farmers can use the improved seeds with good quality, it is necessary to improve of the quality of the system and capacity to produce the quality seed in Nepal. In this context, holistic support for improving seed production was requested to JICA.

The project is expected to contribute for sustainable social and economic development of Nepal during and after the implementation period of the project.

It took two decades to reach Melamchi water to Kathmandu valley

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari today inaugurated Melamchi Water Supply Project, the most awaited project by Kathmandu denizens since more than 20 years, by opening the tap at a programme at Brikutimandap in Kathmandu. The tap water was supplied through facilities of the Melamchi Water Supply Project, according to a press note by JICA.

JICA has been one of the major development partners of Nepal to implement the Melamchi Water Supply Project by constructing the 85 million litter par day (MLD ) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Sundarijal, the press note reads, adding that since March 2001, with signing the Loan Agreement amounted 5.49 billion JPY between the government and JBIC1, to construct the WTP, the project faced several disruption until it was substantially completed in December 2017. Even after its substantial completion, the Water Treatment Plant had been awaiting the water from melamchi diversion tunnel for its full operation. "The Water Treatment Plant is the largest water treatment plant in the country equipped with modern technology and database system." 

Components like SCADA system are some of the salient features of the Water Treatment Plant.

Completion of major infrastructure of the project would bring additional 170 MLD water to Kathmandu valley. Since current supply of water is considered 91 MLD in average considering the loss, the Melamchi Project will dramatically improve water supply in Kathmandu Valley with fulling the huge gap of water supply services provided by the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the sole water utility of the capital city.

President Bhandari inaugurating the project at the presence of high dignitaries from government agencies, development partners including chief representative Yumiko Asakuma, remembered the then Prime Minister Krishna Prasad BHattarai, who pushed the project to implementation.

Not only the financial support to construct facilities, JICA is providing technical support in strengthening the capacity of KUKL in order to effectively operate and maintain the newly constructed facilities of the Melamchi Water Supply Project.

JICA asserts its firm belief that with strong and self-reliant leadership of Nepal, the water supply sector of the country will observe significant improvement, and it commits its continuous support for social development sector of Nepal.

BP Highway handed over to Nepal after reconstruction

 Japan government has officially handed over the Sindhuli Road project – popularly known as BP Highway – to Nepal after completing the reconstruction of the road segment, which was damaged by the devastating earthquake of April 25, 2015. The road project is supported by JICA. 

Japan handed over the rebuilt infrastructure to the government through a virtual inauguration ceremony organised at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, according to the ministry. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Basant Kumar Nemwang, on the occasion, said since long Japan has been providing its value assistance to Nepal mainly in the areas like sanitation, education, peace establishment and agriculture.

Likewise, Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo said that Japan will be supporting Nepal in achieving development goals as both the countries have been in a friendly relationship. “I am really proud of this achievement, as we were able to complete the project despite the ongoing pandemic and that this road will provide functional benefits to locals and other travelers due to improved accessibility leading to enhanced socio-economic benefits,” he added.

The programme witnessed officers from MoPIT, Department of Roads (DoR), JICA Nepal Office, the consultant Nippon Koei and the contractor Hazama Ando, apart from the minister and the Japanese envoy.

During the ceremony chief representative of JICA Nepal Yumiko Asakuma expressed her belief that, with the completion of the project, the overall goal to secure sustainable and safe traffic along Sindhuli Road will be realised.

The Sindhuli Road is one of the most important roads in Nepal that links Kathmandu City, the capital of the country, with Eastern Terai Plain. The construction of the Sindhuli Road, with a total length of 160-km, started with the Japanese grant aid in the 1996 and was completed in March 2015.

The Sindhuli Road is a milestone project of JICA’s cooperation to Nepal as it is not only the biggest Japanese Grant Aid, but also a technical challenging road encompassing diverse geographic condition including mountains and river valleys.

But the road was damaged in more than 24 places by a major earthquake on April 25, 2015 as well as a major aftershock on May 12, 2015 in Nepal. Among the damaged portions, 5 critical sites, which needed rehabilitation were relevant for Japanese support due to the large scale damage as well as technological challenges, according to a press note issued by the JICA. “Upon request from the Nepal, Japan provided grant aid to rehabilitate the critical damaged portion of the Sindhuli Road based on the Exchange of Note (EoN) between Nepal and Japan governments and Grant Agreement (GA) between Nepal and JICA amounting JPY 1,047 million, which was signed on October 25, 2018.

Rehabilitation of the Sindhuli road will facilitate smooth traffic flow, which will not only result in having a reliable link between Kathmandu and the Eastern Terai but also cater the need of the public by creating better mobility, easier accessibility to health facilities and education, better economic socio-cultural activities, the press note reads, adding that one of the major outcome of the rehabilitation project is the transfer of advanced and effective technology to the Nepali counterparts and engineers, mainly for the slope stabilisation of the mountainous roads.

Expressing his appreciation, Nemwang further added that the modern technological methods used for constructing the roads with the concept of ‘Build Back better’ would be a major learning experience for all its stakeholders reaping sustainable benefits.

Japan completed the reconstruction work in around 18 months from the date of commencement, the press note adds.

Japan started the BP Highway – that offers one of the shortest land routes connecting the capital to eastern Nepal – construction of the 160-km long road stretch in 1996 and completed it in March 2015. But the highway was badly damaged -- due to devastating earthquake – at five locations of the stretch in just two months after it was handed over to Nepal. After the devastating earthquake damaged the highway, Japanese contractor Hazama Ando Corporation started the reconstruction work on July 3, 2019.

JICA’s Rs 12 billion Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project completes

 The Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project (EHRP) funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been successfully completed earlier from the targeted completion date.

On this occasion, a closing ceremony was organised virtually today, according to a press note issued by the development partner. “The ceremony was attended by National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) chief executive officer Sushil Gyewali, NRA secretary Suresh Acharya, ambassador of Japan to Nepal Masamichi Saigo, JICA chief representative Yumiko Asakuma and several other high ranking officials from NRA, Central Level Project Implementation Units and District Level Project Implementation Units,” the press note reads, adding that the EHRP is a Japanese ODA loan project amounting Japanese Yen 12 billion (equivalent to about Rs 12 billion). “Main objective of EHRP was to restore and improve the living condition of the victims of the devastating earthquake of 2015, by reconstructing the destroyed and damaged houses using an adequate seismic standard of construction.”

With the principle of Build Back Better (BBB), EHRP provided technical assistance to more than 95,000 housing reconstruction beneficiaries in the target areas of Gorkha and Sindhupalchok districts. The EHRP also provided financial assistance to the government for providing housing grant. The housing grant was provided to about 34,000 beneficiaries who successfully completed earthquake-resilient houses.

As of November 2020, almost 90 per cent of beneficiaries have already completed their house construction in JICA’s target area. The Community Mobilisation Programme (CMP) was one of key factor for success of housing reconstruction which optimized the power of community and promoted mutual support, the press note claimed, adding that it also created job opportunity to over 500 mobile masons, who were instrumental in assisting the house owners for reconstruction.

Speaking on the occasion, Japanese envoy Saigo recalled his field visit to EHRP area, where the mobile mason, house owner, technical support staff and the whole community were working together in a well

organised way and shared his observation on the reason behind of completing the project successfully before the original schedule.

Likewise, chief representative of JICA Nepal Asakuma highly appreciated NRA's initiatives of documenting the learning from reconstruction and passing it to the new agency responsible for DRR, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority for institutionalization of the practical learning.

On the occasion, NRA chief executive Gyewali highly acknowledged the CMP, which was highly effective to synergise the well-grounded Nepali culture of mutual help saying that the CMP not only was instrumental in expediting reconstruction but also in strengthening the social capital of community cohesion.

Housing reconstruction will still continue to materialise leave-no-one-behind, even though EHRP funded by JICA is closed, the press note added.

Nepal and development partners collaborate for green recovery from the pandemic

 The government and a dozen development partners today agreed on a joint statement of support for Nepal’s Relief, Recovery and Resilience (RRR) Plan to enable a green, resilient and sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The green recovery approach recognises the need for investment to protect lives and secure jobs and livelihoods as an immediate priority, and the need to build resilience, further strengthen inclusion, equity, and enhance sustainability in the longer term, according to a press note issued by the World Bank. “Around a dozen development partners including ADB, EU, Finland, France, Germany, INGOs, JICA, KOICA, Norway SDC, UK, UN, USAID, and the World Bank issued a joint statement.”

“The Government of Nepal welcomes this joint development partner approach to support green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic that is well aligned with Nepal’s 15th development plan,” joint secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment Radha Wagle said, adding that it is also very timely as the Prime Minister will be announcing Nepal’s climate ambition at the Global COP 26 Ambition Summit.

“Nepal’s development partners wish to align their support for Nepal’s green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic to create jobs, stimulate inclusive growth and get Nepal back on track to achieve middle income status by 2030,” World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos.

“Nepal’s development partners are ready to support local, provincial and federal governments to stimulate a green recovery that benefits all,” German ambassador to Nepal Roland Schaefer said, on the occasion.

“As holders of the UN Climate Presidency and hosts for the Climate COP 26 next year, the UK is greatly impressed by Nepal’s climate leadership and ambition in its recently approved NDC,” UK Government Asia Climate Envoy Lisa Honan said, adding that it is only by working together that everyone can tackle the Covid-19 and climate crises and build resilience, create sustainable jobs and stimulate the green growth that Nepal needs to bounce back greener.

The government and development partners have also agreed to work together on a joint green recovery package, which could total an estimated $7.4 billion, and includes both grant and loan support for the initial response to Covid-19, and already approved, pipeline and forthcoming projects that support green recovery. Initial estimates of the scale of development partner support in the five areas identified are:

• Up to $840 million for immediate Covid-19 needs including direct health care and vaccine access, and support for livelihoods and vulnerable groups; and

• Up to $4.2 billion from restructuring existing and confirmed projects and up to $2.4 billion for new and pipeline projects for supporting green recovery in the four areas of:

• Nature-based solutions for growth and job creation in agriculture, forestry and biodiversity and water management, and tackling the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas;

• Green and resilient infrastructure, urban development and pollution management, that together create jobs and protect human health; 

• Increasing resilience to future shocks such as health, climate and earthquake risks, by strengthening health, social protection, education and disaster management systems; and

• Stimulating private sector recovery, and increasing green investment and job creation in finance, tourism, clean energy, waste management, forestry and agriculture.

World Bank $10.85 million additional grant to support learning and build resilient education sector

 Nepal and the World Bank today signed a financing agreement for an additional grant of $10.85 million to the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) to maintain access to basic education and continued learning for children amid the Covid-19 crisis.

The government’s SSDP is a sector-wide program supported by IDA credit of $185 million, together with support from Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Union (EU), Finland, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Norway, USAID, UNICEF and REACH Multi-Donor Trust Fund administered by the World Bank. The programme aims at improving the quality, equitable access, and efficiency of basic and secondary education in Nepal.

The additional grant from the GPE Covid-19 Accelerated Funds will contribute to the implementation of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s Covid-19 contingency plan to mitigate and respond to the potential impacts of the pandemic on the education sector.

The agreement was signed by the Joint Secretary at the Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal on behalf of the government of Nepal and by the World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos.

“We are thankful to the World Bank and GPE for the additional grant that will help mitigate learning loss for children due to the impact of Covid-19,” Nepal said, adding that the grant provides much needed support to the government to respond to the impacts of the pandemic to enable continuity of learning during school closures, enable schools to safely resume and mitigate the impacts on students and teachers, including loss of learning time and psychosocial impacts.

The additional grant will finance activities to support remote learning programmes through television, radio and the learning portal as well as printed learning packs for children who do not have access to media or internet. The grant will support communication campaigns and teacher professional development programmes and help strengthen the Education Management Information Systems. The grant will also support provincial and local governments to support safe reopening of schools and continued learning of children.

“The education sector in Nepal and across the world has been one of the hardest hit owing to the pandemic which has deeply affected learning outcomes for children”,  World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos, said after signing ceremony. “While supporting the immediate needs for safeguarding access and learning for children, especially girls, the additional grant will support the broader resilient recovery efforts of the government and help build back better the education sector in Nepal.”

JICA Nepal handover Covid-19 response relief in Sindhupalchowk, Gorkha

 JICA Nepal handed over Covid-19 response relief items to Chautara Sangachowkgadhi Municipality and Helambu Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchowk and Palungtar Municipality and Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality in Gorkha, four of the pilot local governments supported under its Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) ‘The Project on Participatory Rural Recovery’ (PPRR).

Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Yumiko Asakuma handed over emergency relief materials including food like rice, lentils, cooking oil, personal protection equipment (PPE), gloves, masks and sanitizers, Viral transport medium (VTM), for swabs and bedding sets like mattresses, pillows, and bed sheets etc to mayors and representatives of municipalities during the first and second week of August, according to a press note issued by the JICA Nepal office in Kathmandu.

Currently, Palungtar Municipality and Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality are operating 4 quarantine facilities respectively, catering to between 40 to 70 people in isolation at any point in time, the press note reads, adding that Chautara Municipality has 2 facilities and Helambu Rural Municipality has one, with about 50 people accommodated.

The emergency relief materials were provided as part of the project's support to strengthen the capacities of local governments and communities not only for building back better from the 2015 earthquake but also for enhancing community resilience against various kinds of disasters including the ongoing global pandemic. 

JICA Nepal signs grant assistance for Education

JICA Nepal today signed grant assistance agreements for the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) as the Government of Japan extended grant assistance of 300 million Japanese yen (approximately Rs 335million) to Nepal for the 5th year of the ‘School Sector Development Programme (SSDP).
Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and finance secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana – on behalf of their respective governments – signed and did the Exchange of Notes (E/N) for the assistance. Pn the same occasion, the grant agreements for the SSDP were signed and exchanged between joint secretary at the Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal and chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nepal Yumiko Asakuma.
The SSDP started implementation from July 2016 aims at consolidating gains from previous reform programmes and continue crucial reforms needed in the school education sector through the SWAp modality. The overarching mission of the SSDP is to produce the needed human resources to elevate the country’s status from a least developed country by 2022 and to reach the goal of achieving the status of the level of the middle-income country by 2030.
Purpose of the SSDP is to improve the equity, quality, efficiency, governance and management of the education sector. SSDP focuses on capacity and knowledge enhancement of both students and teachers by developing relevant teaching and learning methods and materials that ensures quality development.  Lately, SSDP also focuses on strengthening school-level disaster management and resilience to develop school as a conflict free zone.
As present education policies and sector plan (SSDP) of Nepal target to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4: ‘Ensuring inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’. It targets to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality of education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes, while adhering to tackling disparities in remote area.
Development of Education sector in Nepal is one of JICA’s top priorities and it assures to continue its support to this sector for effective implementation and output. Considering the current situation of Covid-19 and its possible impacts to education sector, the government may explore necessary flexibility and develop a common understanding with all development partners to best utilise the available resources in addressing the emerging needs of the school education.

Japan extends grant for School Sector Development Programme

The government of Japan has extended grant assistance of up to 300 million Japanese Yen (¥300,000,000), equivalent to Rs 335 million to Nepal for implementing the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP).
Japanese ambassador to Nepal Saigo Masamichi and finance secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana signed notes to this effect today at the Finance Ministry.
Another set of grant agreements for implementing the programme were also signed by chief representative of JICA Nepal Asakuma Yumiko and joint secretary at the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division under Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu.
Education is an investment in human capital and the foundation of a nation's sustainable social and economic development, the press note reads, adding that the vision of SSDP is to contribute to the development of self-sustainable, competitive, innovative and value oriented citizens for the socio-economic transformation of the nation.
SSDP is considered as an important vessel for Nepal's school education. As such it will produce the needed human resources to elevate Nepal's status from a Least Developed Country (LDC) by 2022 and reach the status of a middle-income country by 2030. Ambassador Saigo hopes that the programme will improve the equity, quality, efficiency, governance, management and resilience of the education sector.
He also pointed out that the Covid-19 outbreak has made the situation difficult for both countries. The pandemic has had serious impacts on students' learning and well-being, he said, adding that with regard to this, the schools have incorporated innovative technologies (eg digital and mobile technologies combined with traditional technologies such as radio and television) in order to provide continuous education.
In view of this, ambassador Saigo hopes that even during this pandemic, the country will take up the challenge to ensure that children and their education will help to contribute to a more prosperous Nepal in the future. The Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu – in the press note – also said that it is confident that the objectives envisaged by the project will be achieved, and will contribute towards further strengthening the relationship, friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.

Japan provides grant assistance for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) extended grant assistance of Japanese Yen 365,000,000 under the Grant Aid scheme of ‘The Project for Human Resource Development Strategy (JDS) for the fiscal year 2020-21. Exchange of Notes for the project was signed between ambassador of Japan to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and finance secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana on behalf of their respective governments, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.
On the occasion, the Grant Agreement (GA) for the project was signed and exchanged between chief representative of JICA Nepal Yumiko Asakuma – on behalf of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and joint secretary at the Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal, on behalf of the government.
JDS offers 22 scholarships out of which 20 seats are for 2-year Master’s degree and 2 seats for 3-year Doctoral programme for government officials of Nepal, who are engaged in formulating and implementing socio-economic development planning with the objective to resolve development challenges in Nepal. JDS scholarship programme is running in Nepal from 2016 and until 2020, a total of 102 government officers from Nepal are enrolled in 9 Japanese universities. This Grant Agreement is for the second batch of the second phase – from 2020 to 2023 – of JDS programme. JDS has been implementing in 15 countries since 1999 supporting the human resource development of the countries targeting highly capable, young government officials and others who are potential future leaders of partner countries.
After completion of studies the JDS Fellows are expected to engage in formulating and implementing socio-economic development plans and programs and evolve as leaders and change agents for development in their respective countries. The fellows are also expected to contribute towards enhancing bilateral relations between Japan and their respective countries with their knowledge of Japan
Since 2016 Nepal has had 80 JDS Fellows and 22 government officials are expected to go to Japan in 2020. Through the grant assistance signed today, up to 22 government officials will be selected as JDS Fellows.

Japanese grant for Implementation of Development of Digital Elevation Model and Orthophoto

The Government of Japan has extended grant assistance of up to Rs 1.32 billion (¥1,170,000,000) to Nepal for the Development of Digital Elevation Model and Orthophoto.
Japanese ambassador to Nepal Saigo Masamichi, and finance secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana signed notes to this effect at the Finance Ministry here today, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.
Another set of grant agreements for implementing the programme was also signed by chief representative of JICA Nepal Asakuma Yumiko, and joint secretary at the the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division of the Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal, the press note reads, adding that Nepal, as same as Japan, is a country prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides and floods. “In particular, floods during the monsoon in the Terai region cause loss of human lives and damage a number of properties every year.”
There were incidents of large-scale inundations in 2017 and in 2019. In this regard, developing and improving of a flood warning and evacuation system has been an urgent issue.
Japanese government will cooperate with the Nepal government as much as possible to enable Nepal to become a disaster-resilient country, the press note reads, adding that the digital elevation model and orthophoto to be developed under the programme is expected to contribute towards flood-risk reduction, especially through non-structural measures. “Both the digital elevation model and the orthophoto enables the preparation of high precision hazard maps, which can identify inundation prone zones in order to assist the preparation of practical evacuation plans.”
The Embassy of Japan – in its press note – showed confident that the objectives envisaged by the project will be achieved, and contribute towards further strengthening the relationship, friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.

Nepal hails Japan’s support to post-quake reconstruction

Nepal lauded Japan’s support in post-earthquake reconstruction.
Inaugurating the 46th annual function of JICA Alumni Association Nepal (JAAN) and International Seminar on ‘Natural Disaster in South Asia: Interventions, Best Practices and Challenges’ in the capital today, foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali lauded Japan for supporting Nepal in its reconstruction process by providing financial and technical assistance.
Gyawali said Nepal and Japan had enjoyed excellent cordial bilateral relations ever since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1956. “JICA has been helping in reconstruction and recovery especially of schools and health posts,” he said, thanking the people and government of Japan.
While recalling his visit to Japan in November, Gyawali said that Japan has been a longstanding development partner of Nepal.
On the occasion, he also launched JAAN's annual publication ‘MILAN’, which contains scholarly articles from experts from Nepal, JICA, JAAN and other countries in South Asia.
Speaking on the occasion, Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo said that with high level exchanges between the two countries ‘Japan-Nepal relations have been more solid than in the past’. The envoy also thanked JAAN and JICA Alumni Associations' Forum of SAARC Countries (JAAFSC) for contributing to strengthening the relations between the two countries.
JICA Nepal's chief representative Yumiko Asakuma, on the occasion, highlighted Japan's contribution to Nepal's reconstruction process after the 2015 earthquakes and various other cooperation projects launched with Japanese assistance. She also expressed the hope that JAAN and JAAFSC will contribute to further strengthening the relations between Nepal and Japan.
Likewise, chief executive officer (CEO) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Gyewali shared the progress of Nepal's reconstruction process with the audience. “The reconstruction process is expected to be completed within the next two years,” he informed.
During the programme, various scholars and representatives from South Asia presented papers on the theme of Japan-Nepal relationships and natural disasters, which they said, are the common problems for all countries in South Asia.
According to president of JAAN and general secretary of JAAFSC Ram Chandra Bhusal, the international seminar has been organised to share lessons and best practices of South Asian countries in matters of disaster management so as to enable each country in the region to be better-equipped to overcome the challenges facing the region in disaster risk management.

Construction of Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel road starts

Envisioned since 2014, Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel road has finally started today, after 7 years.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone of the first of its type project in the country that is expected to ease the traffic in and out of the Kathmandu Valley.
Nepal has now entered into the era of tunnel roads, the premier said, urging the project developer to complete the project within the stipulated time. “Though time overrun of projects has remained a historical challenge in Nepal, the experienced Japanese contractor-led project is different,” he said encouraging the Japanese contractor Hazama Ando Corporation to complete the tunnel project on time.
The government signed an agreement with the Japanes firm Hazama Ando Corporation to construct the tunnel on September 23. Hazama Ando Corporation is expected to start the project construction works in a full fledged manner after Tihar. The contractor will have to complete the project within 42 months from September 23, according to the agreement.
The Japanese construction firm Hajma and Ando JV will hand over the tunnel road to the government after three-and-a-half years.
“The government will soon start a slew of tunnel road construction including the Tokha-Khahare and Betrawati-Syafrubesi tunnel projects,” Oli said, adding that the government is committed to developing new infrastructure projects including roads, tunnels and airports and strengthening the existing infrastructure.
The premier, on the occasion, also boosted that more than 1,600 kilometers of roads have been blacktopped this year and those were not single-lane roads. “Roads of such length had never been built in the history of Nepal,” he said, adding that there will be no road problem in Nepal, if construction keeps up in such pace.
Though the construction of the Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel road was expected to start in March, it was delayed due to issues like site clearance and land compensation. “Though the project has fully acquired the necessary land in Kathmandu but some landowners still need to be paid compensation for 44 ropanis of land in Dhading district,” informed head of the tunnel project Shyam Prasad Kharel. “As of today, the project has disbursed around Rs 4.5 billion in land compensation in Kathmandu and Dhading.”
Ambassador of Japan Masamichi Saigo and the chief representative of JICA Nepal Office Yumiko Asakuma were also present on the occasion.
Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth informed that the government is planning to complete the detailed project report of at least seven tunnel projects across the country within this fiscal year. Mahaseth said that overhead bridges will soon be constructed in seven places in Valley including Chabahil, Koteshwor, New Baneshwor, Gaushala, Kalimati, Tripureshwor and Thapathali.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the development partner of the Nagdhunga-Naubise project and had earlier finalised the evaluation of both the technical and financial proposals that were submitted by the Japanese contractor. JICA is providing loan assistance of $141.41 million (Rs 16 billion) at 0.01 per cent interest rate to the government for the construction of the tunnel project. Estimated to cost around $188.19 million (Rs 22 billion), the government will invest the remaining cost of the project. The government has already allocated Rs 6.27 billion – mostly to be used for land acquisition – be for the project in the budget for the current fiscal year.
The 2.7-km-long double lane Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel road will connect Sisnekhola and Basnetchhap.

Naghdhunga tunnel road construction to begin from Monday

The government is preparing to lay the foundation stone of the 2.69-km-long Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel road project on Monday. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is planning to lay foundation stone of the tunnel road that is expected to ease travelling in and out of Kathmandu Valley.
The head of Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel Road Project Shyam Prasad Kharel confirmed that the preparatory works for laying the foundation stone has been completed. “The government had signed an agreement with Japanese firm – Hazama Ando Corporation – to construct the tunnel project on September 23,” he said, adding that the Japanese contractor will start the construction works after the foundation stone is laid. “Though the construction was expected to start from March, it was delayed due to various issues related to site clearance and land compensation.”
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the development partner of the project that has, though, acquired the necessary land in Kathmandu some landowners still need to be paid compensation for land acquired from them in Dhading district.
JICA is providing loan assistance of $141.41 million for the construction of the tunnel project that has an estimated cost hovering around $188.19 million. The remaining cost of the project will be borne by the government. The government has also allocated Rs 6.27 billion for the project in the budget for the current fiscal year.
The government had signed a loan agreement for the construction of Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel road project with the government of Japan on December 22, 2016.
The Japanese government has extended a loan assistance of 16.63 billion yen (approximately Rs 15.28 billion) to Nepal to implement the project. The assistance was announced during the visit of Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi to Nepal in September 2016.
The project – expected to be complete the project by 2021 – has earlier finalised the evaluation of both the technical and financial proposals that were submitted by the Japanese contractor.

Japan extends grant aid for the scholarships to government officers

Japan has extended grant aid for the scholarships to the government officers.
Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and finance secretary Rajan Khanal today signed and exchanged three sets of Notes, on behalf of their respective governments, to implement the implementation of Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarships (JDS).
These Notes are for extending Japan’s Grant Assistance up to ¥250 million (or equivalent to Rs 254.7 million) and ¥378 million (or equivalent to Rs 385.2 million) for the implementation of JDS Phase I and Phase II, respectively. The third note relates to assistance of ¥300 million (or equivalent to Rs 305.7 million) for the implementation of the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP).
Likewise, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Nepal) Yumiko Asakuma and joint secretary of the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division (IECCD) under Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal have also signed and exchanged a Grant Agreement for the implementation of the scheme, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.
The JDS Project Grant is designed to support human resource development of friendly nations through accepting highly capable, energetic, and young government officials into Japanese universities and strengthening the partnership between recipient countries and Japan by utilising human relation chains to address future global needs, the press note reads. “Phase I of JDS is in the final completion stage under which 60 Nepali government officers have already been dispatched while 20 are in the process of pursing their studies in Japanese universities.”
In the meantime, Phase II of JDS is in the implementation process with the addition of an infrastructure development component and doctoral degree programme as per the request of the government of Nepal.
Similarly, Japan has also been assisting in the implementation of the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) from 2016. “Education is an investment in human capital and the foundation for a nation’s sustainable social and economic development,” said Japanese envoy Saigo, after signing the agreement. He also stressed that through education the cycle of poverty could be eradicated in the long term. SSDP is considered as an important vessel to enable Nepal to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to become a middle-income country by 2030.
Envoy Saigo hoped that the SSDP would improve the quality of education, school management and institutional capacity and the access to education for children in marginalized communities, based on SDGs policy ‘No one left behind’.
The Embassy of Japan also expressed its firm belief that the objectives being envisaged by above Projects will be achieved, thereby further strengthening the existing cordial relationship of friendship and cooperation between the people of Japan and Nepal.
Japanese Grant Aid for human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) was established by the Government of Nepal with the assistance of the Government of Japan in 2015. The JDS is funded by the Government of Japan through Official Development Assistance (ODA) supported by Japanese tax payers. The JDS Grant is designed to support human resource development of friendly nations through accepting highly capable, energetic, and young government officials in designated Japanese universities as JDS fellows. These officials are then expected to engage in formulation and implementation of socio-economic development plans and programmes, and are also expected to be future leaders or engines for development in their respective countries. Yet another objective of the JDS Scheme is to strengthen partnerships between recipient countries and Japan by utilising human relation chains to address future global needs, the press note explains.

Japan extends grant aid for SSDP

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and finance secretary Rajan Khanal today signed, and exchanged three sets of Notes, on behalf of their respective governments to help nepali education sector.
These Notes are for extending Japan’s Grant Assistance up to 250 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to Rs 254.7 million, and 378 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to Rs 385.2 million for the implementation of JDS Phase I and Phase II respectively, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu. “The third note relates to assistance of 300 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to Rs 305.7 million, for the implementation of the School Sector Development Program (SSDP).”
Likewise, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Nepal) chief representative Yumiko Asakuma and joint secretary of the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division (IECCD) under the Finance Ministry Shree krishna Nepal have also signed and exchanged a grant agreement for the implementation of SSDP, the press note reads.
The JDS Project Grant is designed to support human resource development of friendly nations through accepting highly capable, energetic, and young government officials into Japanese universities and strengthening the partnership between recipient countries and Japan by utilising human relation chains to address future global needs. Phase I of JDS is in the final completion stage under which 60 Nepali government officers have already been dispatched while 20 are in the process of pursing their studies in Japanese universities. In the meantime, Phase II of JDS is in the implementation process with the addition of an infrastructure development component and doctoral degree programme as per the request of Nepal.
Japan has also been assisting in the implementation of the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) from 2016.
Saigo, on the signing occasion, said that education is an investment in human capital and the foundation for a nation’s sustainable social and economic development. He also stressed that through education the cycle of poverty could be eradicated in the long term. “SSDP is considered as an important vessel to enable Nepal to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to become a middle-income country by 2030.”
The envoy also hoped that the SSDP would improve the quality of education, school management and institutional capacity and the access to education for children in marginalised communities, based on SDGs policy ‘No one left behind’.