KOICA grants $2.5 million as an interest subsidy for Korea Returnee

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Agricultural Development Bank Ltd (ADBL), entered into an arrangement to implement the component 'Increased Access to Financial Support for Korea Returnee Migrants', which is envisioned by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of the Republic of Korea and Nepal for the project 'Strengthening Stage-Wise Support System for the Stable Reintegration of Korea Returnee Migrants in Nepal.'
The agreement was signed by Country Director of KOICA Mooheon Kong and CEO of the ADBL Govinda Gurung, where joint secretary of FACD, Ministry of Finance Dhani Ram Sharma and joint secretary of the Ministry of Labour Employment and Social Security MoLESS Krishna Prasad Sapkota signed the agreement as the witness.
The main objective of this programme is to create a stable environment for entrepreneurship by improving financial access for Korea returnee migrants in Nepal, according to KOICA press nopte. "For this eligible Korea Returnee will get subsidised loan from the ADBL. The loan will be subsidized for 5 years."
KOICA will provide $2.5 million (approximately Rs 320,000,000) for the Programme. KOICA’s contribution will be used solely for interest subsidies. ADBL will contribute approximately Rs 1.2 billion as loan capital for the Programme.
It is estimated that the Programme is expected to support approximately 200 to 250 Korea Returnees with an average loan size of Rs 5 million, the press note reads, adding that the Programme will run from 2026 to 2028. "The interest subsidy will be provided for the period of 5 years."
Through this programme Korea Returnees will have full opportunity to employ their skills and establish successful enterprise that supports the local economy. In addition to this, local employment will be created, it adds.
In the event KOICA Country Director said that it is a shared commitment to empowering Nepali returnee migrants who have contributed their skills, labour and aspirations while working in Korea. "As they return home, it is our collective responsibility to create an enabling environment where they can reintegrate with dignity, security and opportunities for long-term economic stability," Kong said, on the occasion.
In the event, joint secretary Sapkota stated that Nepal and the Republic of Korea share a longstanding relationship grounded in cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared vision for human-centered development. "Our collaboration in the employment and migration sector especially through the Employment Permit System (EPS) has benefitted thousands of Nepali workers," he said, adding, "As these workers return home with experience, skills, and aspirations for a better future, it becomes essential that we, as institutions, support their smooth and productive reintegration."
During the event, joint secretary Sharma said that KOICA has always been a meaningful partner. "Its cooperation has been meaningful and very much effective," he added.
ADBL CEO Gurung, on the occasion, said that the programme is new and very much useful for returnee migrants who wish to start their own venture. He further stated that the ADBL will execute this programme successfully and look forward for such innovative programmes in future.

KOICA marks 30 years in Nepal with $29 million grant agreement

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) celebrated three decades of development partnership in Nepal with a commemorative event 'Together for 30 Years: A Journey of Trust and Cooperation' today in Kathmandu, with signing three agreements worth $29 million grant.

The most important session of the event was the signing of three major project agreements that mark KOICA’s strategic priorities for the years ahead, according to a press note issued by the KOICA. 

The first was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between finance secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya and ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal Park Tae-young for the establishment of the Gandaki Institute of Technology, a $9 million project to be implemented from 2025 to 2030.

It was followed by Record of Discussion (RoD) signings for two new projects. The Value Chain Development Project (Phase II) in Lumbini Province, with the budget of $10 million to be initiated from 2025 to 2031 signed between joint secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Hari Bahadur KC and country director of KOICA Mooheon Kong. Similarly, the establishment of the Sudurpaschim Polytechnic Institute -- with the budget of $10 million was also signed between joint secretary of Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Shiva Kumar Sapkota and country director of KOICA Mooheon Kong -- that is scheduled for implementation between 2025 and 2030.

On the occasion, KOICA Nepal Country Director Mooheon Kong emphasised KOICA’s enduring partnership with Nepal and its unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. He highlighted the agency’s focus on supporting local capacity building and fostering innovation across key sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and governance.

The joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bhrigu Dhungana highlighted the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Nepal and the Republic of Korea, emphasising KOICA’s invaluable contributions in areas such as education, health, agriculture, and capacity building. He expressed appreciation for KOICA’s role in strengthening bilateral relations and supporting Nepal’s sustainable development goals. He also conveyed the ministry’s commitment to deepening this partnership in the future, envisioning even greater collaboration in advancing prosperity and resilience in Nepal.

Likewise, ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal Park Tae-young, on the occasion, noted that KOICA’s 30-year journey in Nepal reflects the deep-rooted friendship and mutual trust between the two nations. He emphasised Korea’s continued commitment to supporting Nepal’s socio-economic development and highlighted the new project agreements as a symbol of shared progress and future cooperation.

Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City and Chief Guest of the event Dhana Raj Acharya congratulated KOICA on its milestone anniversary and praised its impactful contribution across diverse sectors. He commended KOICA’s strategic alignment with Nepal’s national development goals and reaffirmed the government's readiness to work closely with KOICA to expand the reach and sustainability of future programmes.

As KOICA reflects on its three decades of development engagement in Nepal, it renews its commitment to building a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future in close partnership with the government and local communities, according to KOICA.

Since 1991, the Government of the Republic of Korea, through KOICA, has been a key development partner of Nepal, supporting various sectors such as health, education, agriculture, vocational training, rural development, IT, and tourism. KOICA has dispatched 2,921 volunteers to government institutions across the country. Additionally, over 2,230 Nepali officials have participated in KOICA’s fellowship programmes.

KOICA collaborates with businesses, CSOs, universities, and foreign agencies to help Nepal achieve its SDGs. Since Nepal was designated a priority country for KOICA in 2010, support has significantly increased, and by 2025, KOICA’s total assistance surpassed $200 million. This progress has been further strengthened through a framework agreement on development cooperation, reinforcing the strong and growing friendship between the two nations.

KOICA concludes Integrated Rural Development Project worth $4.7 million

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), together with implementing partner, Korea Development Strategy Institute (KDS) Consortium today successfully concluded the five-year project titled 'Empowering Rural Communities in Nepal through an Integrated Approach to Health and Income Growth'.

Partnering with Dhulikhel Hospital with a total budget of $4.7 million, the project aimed to improve the quality of life in rural areas through enhanced healthcare access and sustainable income generation, according to a press note issued by the KOIKA office in Kathmandu. 

Approximately 150 stakeholders attended the event, including officials from Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, federal and local governments, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal, KOICA Nepal Office, Dhulikhel Hospital, and civil society partners.

Implemented in four Dhulikhel Hospital Outreach centers across three districts (Tanahun, Sindhupalchowk, and Kavrepalanchok), the project supported agricultural infrastructure - including collection centers, vehicles, and demo farms - and provided training to strengthen farmer organisations, the press note reads, adding that it also offered entrepreneurship and vocational programmes for non-farming residents. "In the health sector, two outreach centers under Dhulikhel Hospital were newly constructed and equipped, while training was provided to local health workers and students."

By mobilising community-led committees, the project fostered not only improved income and health outcomes but also a stronger sense of ownership and social cohesion, it adds

Country Director of KOICA Nepal Office Kong Mooheon, during the concluding ceremony, highlighted the strength of linking agriculture and health to enhance community resilience

Likewise, Dr Biraj Man Karmacharya from Dhulikhel Hospital thanked the team for the efforts on implementing the project and shared that the successful result is clearly visible on the sites with the demand on its continuation and expansion. He also requested for the continuity of programme.

Dr Yoon Haejin, Project Leader from KDS shared his meaningful memories of the project. Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, the project achieved successful and positive outcomes through the dedicated efforts of the project staff, the strong support of local governments and ward leaders, and the sincere participation of communities and farmers. He deeply appreciates all contributions and believes that the results will be sustained through continued collaboration.

The Government of the Republic of Korea has been supporting the Government of Nepal through KOICA in various areas of health, vocational training, rural development and IT since 1991. By 2024, total amount of KOICA’s support surpassed $200. Nepal’s designation as a Core Partnership Country by the Government of the Republic of Korea for 15 consecutive years highlights the strong bilateral relationship and commitment to Nepal’s development goals.

KOICA Nepal Office holds pre-departure orientation for health ministry officials

KOICA Nepal Office conducted a pre-departure orientation programme for 15 government officials from the ministry of Health and Population today, at KOICA Nepal Office.

The orientation programme was organised under KOICA Capacity Improvement and Advancement for tomorrow (CIAT, a Fellowship Programme), which supports ministry of Health and Population on 'Capacity Building on Strengthening Health Emergency Coordination and Operation System in Nepal'.

This new CIAT multiyear programme, starting from 2024 and continue till 2026, aims at training 45 government officials by 2026 from the ministry of Health and Population in Health Emergency Coordination and Operations System of Nepal, according to a press note issued by the KOICA Office.

"The capacity building training programme is designed to enhance Nepal's health policy and system based on Korea's experiences," it claims, adding that the programme will take place in Korea from July 21 to August 3 and the officials will be departing to South Korea on July 20 (Saturday).

The orientation programme aimed to ensure that the government officials are well-prepared for the cultural and societal differences they may encounter in South Korea. It equipped them with knowledge about Korean culture, intercultural communication skills, and academic expectations. 

Country Director of KOICA Nepal Office Mooheon Kong, on the occasion, emphasised the importance of implementing and disseminating the knowledge gained in Korea to improve and strengthen the health services in Nepal.

Simultaneously in June 2024, 15 government officials from the ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, including CTEVT, participated in a similar training programme titled 'Capacity Building of TVET Instructors on E-learning in Nepal'. Health, Education, Agriculture, Governance, Environment are few important sectors that KOICA focuses on implementing this CIAT programme.

Since 1991, the KOICA fellowship programme has supported over 2600 Nepali government officers through various programmes, including Country Specific Programmes, Multi Country Programmes, and Scholarship programmes.

KOICA remains committed to supporting human resource development in Nepal via these kinds of programms, the press note adds.

South Korea to provide oxygen concentrators worth $604,500

The South Korean envoy Park Chong-suk handed over some 94 units of oxygen concentrators to health minister Umesh Shrestha today.

Likewise, Koica-Kaan donated three units of oxygen concentrators to Methinkot Hospital today.

The Republic of Korea -- popularly known as South Korea -- has also prepared plans to provide oxygen concentrators worth $604,500 (a total 378 Units of oxygen concentrators) to Nepal via Koica. The handover was carried out to support Nepal’s Covid-19 responses through Koica’s development projects in Nepal along with the donation from Koica Alumni Association of Nepal (KAAN), according to a press note issued by the South Korean Embassy in Kathmandu. "The remaining 281 units of oxygen concentrators will be handed over to Nepal by the end of September 2021."

Koica decided to support these oxygen concentrators based on the request of the Health Ministry due to acute shortage of medical oxygen supply during the second wave of Covid-19 in Nepal. "It is a nine liters per minute capacity high flow oxygen concentrator manufactured in the USA," the press note reads, adding that out of the 378 oxygen concentrators, Koica plans to provide 280 units to Health Ministry, three units to Methinkot Hospital through KAAN, some 15 units to Nepal Korea Friendship Municipality Hospital, some 10 units to Trishuli Hospital, some 25 units to Kathmandu University, some 25 units to Dhulikhel Hospital, some 15 units to Tikapur Hospital and some 5 units to Mugu Hospital."

The South Korean ambassador -- at the handover ceremony -- said that Korea has always considered Nepal as one of its close friends and has always extended its supportive hands to Nepal. "Korea will continue its support to various sectors for Nepal’s development," he said, expressing his hope that each of these equipment will be dispatched to the hospitals where they are most needed and effectively utilised.

Likewise, minister Shrestha thanked the ambassador and the government of Republic of Korea for such meaningful support. He stressed that the support from Korea shall be distributed very carefully to hospitals with a shortage of medical oxygen supply.

South Korea, through Koica, has been supporting Nepal since the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Koica has already provided medical essentials worth $726,000 -- including more than 57,000 complete sets of RT PCR test kits and Covid-19 protection materials like PPE, mask, sanitizer, surgical gloves, thermometers to various hospitals in need of support -- for Nepal’s Covid-19 response since 2020.