Nepal-Tibet meeting reviews Aid Projects in Nepal

The first meeting of the Aid Projects to Nepal (2024-2028) took place in Lhasa, China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on April 23 and 24.

The first meeting was co-chaired by joint secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration Kamal Prasad Bhattarai and director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the China’s Tibet Autonomous Region Baiman Yangzong.

On the occasion, the discussions were focused on the coordination mechanism of aid projects by the Tibet Autonomous Region, China to Nepal in terms of work schedule, selection modality of the projects, and the ways of implementation and monitoring, according to a press note issued by the Nepali consulate in Lhasa.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to hold the meeting of aid projects twice in the first half of the year, so as to focus on the projects arrangements and twice in the second half of the year for the implementation and review of the implemented projects. Furthermore, the two sides underlined the need to enhance the level of support for improving the livelihood of people residing in bordering districts in the Northern Himalayan region of Nepal through the Aid Projects.

On Wednesday, joint secretary at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and the head of Nepali Delegation Kamal Prasad Bhattarai paid a courtesy call on executive vice-chairman of the People’s Government of Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China Chen Yongqi. During the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of mutual interests; including the promotion of socio-economic linkages for further strengthening Nepal-China relations.

The second meeting of the Aid Projects to Nepal will take place on a mutually convenient date in May 2024, the press note reads.

The delegation also visited the Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa, where Consul General Navaraj Dhakal welcomed and hosted Luncheon in honour of the joint secretary and his delegation. 

The Nepali delegation will visit Ali Prefecture and its vicinity on Thursday. The delegation is scheduled to return Kathmandu on Friday.

The delegation of Nepal included officials from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General administration, Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa. Likewise, the Chinese delegation comprised the high-ranking officials of the Foreign Affairs of China’s TAR.

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.”

Japan helps construct a Mental Health Therapeutic Centre

 Japan is helping construct mental health centre.

The Charge d'Affaires of Japan to Nepal Yoshioka Yuzo today signed a grant contract with executive director of KOSHISH Matrika Prasad Devkota for building a Mental Health Therapeutic Center at Pharping in Kathmandu District, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.

“The project is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese government involves a grant of $296,856 (approximately Rs 35.36 million),” the press note reads, adding that the project aims at enhancing therapeutic services for abandoned women with mental health and psychosocial disabilities by constructing a mental health therapeutic center to provide treatment in a safe environment.

“I hope the assistance will contribute towards enhancing better therapeutic services for women suffering from mental health issues,” said Yoshioka at the online grant signing ceremony. 

KOSHISH is a non-governmental organisation that has been working since 2008 to ensure persons with psychological disabilities are able to live independently with dignity, and are included in the community as equals. It has been running a transit home for women to support their recovery from mental illnesses. 

The Japanese Embassy believes the project will enable women with mental health issues to live independently and with dignity after receiving improved therapeutic services, the press note reads, adding that the Embassy also believes that the support will contribute towards further enhancing the friendship 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.

India builds a block of Shree Mahadev Masta Chaturdev Campus

The administrative and academic block of Shree Mahadev Masta Chaturdev Campus, newly built under the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Development Cooperation programme at a cost of Rs 35.11 million, was formally inaugurated today via video-conferencing by representatives of Village Development Council (VDC) Ratapani, Lui in Mugu District, School Management Committee and Embassy of India in Kathmandu, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
The Campus – established in 2007 – is a community owned educational institute affiliated to Tribhuvan University (TU) and approved by UGC Nepal. It offers four-year full time bachelor degree courses. Students from over 24 VDCs including Humla and Bajura study at the Campus and it has been providing various scholarship facilities for deserving students.
The construction of the new administrative and academic block was implemented by District Coordination Committee (DDC) Mugu, the press note reads, adding that the newly built infrastructure of the school is expected to boost learning environment for students. “On behalf of people and Government of India, the Embassy is happy to be associated with the project which compliments the effort of Government of Nepal in augmenting infrastructure in the field of education.”

India builds Shree Saptmai Gurukul Sanskrit Vidhyalaya in Ilam

Indian has built Shree Saptmai Gurukul Sanskrit Vidhyalaya, at Barbote Village Development Committee (VDC) of Ilam under the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Development Cooperation programme at a cost of Rs 31.13 million, was formally inaugurated via video-conferencing by representatives of Barbote VDC, School Management Committee and Embassy of India, Kathmandu.
The Vidhyalaya was established in 2009 as a primary school and subsequently upgraded as a secondary level school in 2014. The School has a unique qualification of imparting Vedic as well as modern education also in Sanskrit, to its students. The school provides residential facility for students coming from adjoining districts of Ilam.
The four storied new school building constructed with Government of India’s grant assistance, has school and hostel blocks comprising of ten class rooms, nine dormitories for residential students, four study rooms, warden office, one living room, one common hall, three store room and separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls on each floor, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embast in Kathmandu. “The project was implemented by DCC of Ilam.”
The newly built infrastructure of the school is expected to boost learning environment for students. On behalf of people and Government of India, the Embassy is happy to be associated with the project which compliments the effort of government in augmenting infrastructure in the field of education.

ADB retains top spot in aid transparency index, MCC also transparent

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) retained its first place ranking in the 2020 Aid Transparency Index (ATI), an independent measurement of aid transparency released today at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.
In the index, spearheaded by British nongovernment organization Publish What You Fund, ADB’s sovereign portfolio is ranked in the ‘very good’ transparency category of the ATI with the top score of 98. “I take great pride in ADB’s first position in an index that is playing a key role in helping to promote greater transparency and openness among international agencies,” ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa said, adding that ADB has continuously worked to improve the disclosure of its aid data in terms of quality and scope. “Our top ranking reflects the dedication of staff, across the organisation, to ensure adherence to aid transparency standards.”
This is the second time that ADB ranked No 1 in the ATI, which had its pilot run in 2011. The 2020 Index is the seventh full Index report to monitor and encourage progress toward aid transparency. Data collection was carried out from December 2019 to April 2020, and focused on 35 indicators, grouped into five components: finance and budgets, joining up development data, organizational planning and commitments, project attributes and performance. The Index groups donors into five categories based on their overall scores (out of 100).
Ten other organisations among the 47 ranked were this year classified in the ‘very good’ category with a score of at least 80 per cent – the World Bank-International Development Association (WB-IDA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Development Bank–Sovereign portfolio, the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNCF), the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Global Fund, UK Department for International Development, the Canada Global Affairs, and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.
The 2020 Aid Transparency Index reveals an improvement in overall transparency among the world’s major aid agencies. Development partners are publishing more, better quality data in the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) Standard, according to the publishers. All of the development partners, except those in the ‘very poor’ category, are publishing IATI data about their activities and policies, meaning their information is open, timely, comparable and centralised, meeting the international standard for aid transparency.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members, 49 from the region.

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 seeks immediate assistance from ADB

Nepal has requested Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide immediate assistance amounting to $250 million.
Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada – talking on phone – requested ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa today to support Nepal in its fight against the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Asakawa, on the occasion, commended Nepal’s decisive actions to control the spread of the virus and manage its impact on public health and the national economy, particularly through the government’s $1.26 billion comprehensive National Relief Programme.
Nepal’s response aims at strengthening the medical system capacity, lessening the economic strain on individuals, especially the poor and vulnerable, and supporting businesses, which have been severely affected by the economic slowdown, claimed the Finance Ministry that has directed the enterprises to pay the salary to the employees – also during the lockdown – of last month and waive rent of the tenets without understanding the ground reality. Most of the employers have borrowed to operate the business, whereas most of the house-owners have also borrowed to buy or construct their house.
“ADB is committed to supporting the government’s needs in these most challenging times,” Asakawa has been quoted in the press note of the Finance Ministry. “We are accelerating the processing of a quick budget support loan with affordable terms and conditions to respond to the government’s request for assistance in strengthening the health system and mitigating the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Thanking ADB for its support, Khatiwada reiterated the Nepal’s strong commitment to carry out immediate containment measures, social protection for the poor and vulnerable, and economic support for the affected sectors of the economy. The government has imposed lock down since last 36 days to contain the spread of pandemic that is causing disruptions in industry and services. Nepal is losing all the sources of foreign exchange as tourism has been hit hard due to suspension of international flights, remittance inflow has decelerated due to lock down in host countries and falling exports due to closure of industries and transportation have been hit hard.
ADB has a strong track record of responding rapidly to support Nepal in times of emergencies and has already provided a $300,000 grant to procure medical supplies, in close collaboration with UNICEF. The grant will finance urgently needed and critical personal protective equipment to enable medical personnel to safely treat infected patients. Additional grant resources are being explored for expanding supply of essential medical goods to combat the outbreak.
In close collaboration with other development partners, ADB is accelerating its efforts in providing further support to Nepal from the expanded Covid-19 response package of $20 billion announced on April 13, with approved measures to streamline its operations for quicker and more flexible delivery of assistance, the press note reads.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members, 49 from the region.

Local governments to get Indian aid as conditional grant

The government is going to disburse aid under India’s Small Development Project Scheme (SDPS) to local governments after channeling resources to the national budget.
The cabinet – on December 23 – approved a proposal of the Finance Ministry about ways to implement the projects to be financed under the scheme that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The scheme had remained controversial due to its nature of direct funding to the projects through local governments from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu without using the Federal budgetary system.
According to the new modality, SDPS will be brought under the federal budgetary system and channeled to the local governments as conditional grants, in line with the Development Cooperation Policy introduced in May.
Conditional grant is the type of grant provided to implement a specific project and the local government cannot spend it on other projects. The government can allocate the budget for the local level from the fiscal year 2020-21 after the federal government gets the Indian aid, according to the Finance Ministry. “Under the scheme, India has been providing up to Rs 50 million to implement small infrastructure projects through the local governments.”
Earlier the grant used to go to the local levels directly raising eyebrows. But after the new constitution promulgated in 2015 required foreign assistance to be channelled through the national budget to ensure transparency in aid, the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government in November 2017 extended the tenure of the scheme with the caveat that funds pass through national budgetary system, The Federal government will decide which agency implements the project, according to the new rule.
A cabinet meeting – in July 2018 – made it mandatory for India to sign an agreement with Finance Ministry to implement the projects under the scheme and route funds through the central account.
Launched in November 2003, the projects are popularly known as ‘umbrella agreement’, on the basis of which the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu had been extending assistance to various projects.
But bringing the Indian aid under the small grant scheme will not only promote transparency but also helps keep tab on how much money has been spent under the scheme.

Japanese assistance for rehabilitating school

Japan is helping Nepal rehabilitation of schools.
Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu Yuzo Yoshioka today signed a grant contract for Rehabilitating School and Building School Resilience to Disaster in Sindhupalchowk under Nepal Phase II with team leader at the Programme Department of Child Fund Japan Miho Nakajima.
The project is funded by the Japanese government and involves a grant assistance of $860,808 (approximately Rs 97.52 million).
At the grant signing ceremony, Charge d’ Affaires Yoshioka said that the project will foster and strengthen the capacity of public schools in Sindhupalchowk district in safeguarding children from natural disasters. In achieving this goal, ChildFund Japan, in partnership with local partner NGOs like Gramin Mahila Srijansil Pariwar, will provide multifaceted support to schools, School Management Committees (SMCs), and government officials by constructing seismic-resistant classrooms, conducting training on disaster risk reduction and Child Protection in Emergencies, and developing School Safety Plan which integrates earthquake drills in school.
The project will rehabilitate the School and Build School Resilience to Disaster in Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal and Yoshioka is certain that this project would give people more confidence to rebuild back better and also hoped that the project will contribute towards strengthening the cordial friendship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.

Japan hands over excavator to Tukche village

An official of the Embassy of Japan handed over an excavator valued at about Rs 9.3 million to Ward No 1, Tukche Village, Thasang Rural Municipality, in Mustang District.
At the handover ceremony, second secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu Yoshiki Sando said that the excavator will be used effectively for emergencies and temporary counter-measures to control erosion.
Tukche village is located on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River and the people there have to deal with large volumes of water from snowmelt that erodes the river banks. The village is prone to erosion and people have lost their fields and have had to relocate because of the inability to tame flood water.
The Embassy of Japan believes that the project can contribute towards land conservation around Tukche, a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu reads. “It also believes that the assistance will contribute towards further strengthening the bilateral relationship between Japan and Nepal.”

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.

China to assist Nepal in transforming it from landlocked to land-linked

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping today said that China will assist Nepal in transforming it from a landlocked country to land-linked country.
“China is also ready to open as many as trade transit routes with Nepal,” he said, adding that Chinese support will increase in post-quake reconstruction as well. Pledging to increase investment in the education sector of Nepal, encourage as many as Chinese nationals to promote Visit Nepal Year 2020 and address Nepal's concerns about climate change aside from promising to safeguarding common planet earth and maintaining ecology around the Sagarmatha region, he also expressed the determination to realise the projects and framework designed for development construction.
President Xi also said he was looking forward to discussing and exchanging views on matters of mutual interest and common concern with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tomorrow.
Delivering a statement in a state banquet organised today evening in honour of visiting Chinese President Xi, President Bidya Devi Bhandari said that Nepal-China relation is deep as ocean and high as the Mt Everest. “There are immense possibilities of taking warm and friendly relations between Nepal and China based on Panchasheel to a new height,” she said, adding that our relations based on mutual understanding, respect and well-being is close, strong and free of any problems.
Recalling that relations between Nepal and China have been connected through rivers and mountains, while there is social and cultural connection between the two countries since centuries, she also highlighted the significant contribution of Chinese monks— Fa Xian (Fa Hsien) and Xuan Zang (Hsuan Tsang) – and Nepali monk Buddha Bhadra, princess Bhrikuti and artist Araniko to further strengthen people's level cultural relations between the two countries.
The high profile visit from northern neighbour after 23 year since then president Jiang Zemin visited in 1996, also witnessed assistance to Nepal.
The visiting Chinese President, on the occasion, announced a support of 3.5 billion RMB to be provided between 2020 to 2022 for uplifting the living standard of the Nepali people. He also announced that work on trans-himalaya railways would move ahead despite its difficulties. The Chinese President – who is the most powerful president after chairman Mao in China – also said that the trade imbalance between the two countries could be addressed, if Nepal exports competitive goods. Stating that he was encouraging big and quality investments from China, President Xi said support could be sought from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as well.
President Xi – on the occasion – also signed the visitors' book.
President Xi arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon on a two-day state visit, at the friendly invitation of President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
President Bhandari, on the occasion, said that the agreements and treaties signed with China have built a foundation for Nepal's easy access to the third world countries. During the high-level bilateral talks held at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas after welcoming her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, President Bhandari said Nepal is now striving to realise the national goal of prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepalis following the establishment of a stable government.
Stating that the government is working to transform Nepal into a middle-income country by 2030, she said the government was ever ready to facilitate and safeguard Chinese investments in Nepal.
Extending gratitude for the post-quake support in Nepal, President Bhandari said Nepal was looking forward to receiving Chinese tourists during the Visit Nepal Year 2020 and support for human resource development in the country.

Japan hands over medical equipment worth Rs 8.5 million

An official of the Embassy of Japan handed over medical equipment to the Labour, Women and Child Welfare Council in Bhaktapur today. The equipment includes an X-ray, ultrasound, computer radiography (CR) machine, and electrocardiogram (ECG) machines among others, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Japan. “The equipment is valued at an equivalent of Rs 8.5 million.”
At the handover, the Japanese official said the grassroots level support from the Government of Japan aims to enhance bilateral relations between Japan and Nepal and promote people-to-people support. The official said he hoped that the grant could enable more people in the district to access services at the Community Health Center.
The project was funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Government, under which Japan has provided grant assistance of $84,514 (about Rs 8.5 million), according to the press note.
The Health Center offers free diagnosis and delivery assistance in rural areas, in addition to providing basic medicines, with a special focus on maternal and child health. In addition, the doctors and nurses at the center regularly visit the surrounding communities to provide counselling and to raise awareness on basic health.
The Embassy of Japan – in the press note – said that it believes that the project will contribute towards enhancing the medical services provided by the center to women and children in the surrounding areas.

€8.5 million humanitarian aid for South and South East Asia

The European Commission (EC) has mobilised a new humanitarian funding package worth €8.5 million to help the most affected communities in South and South East Asia hit by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. This includes €1.5 million in emergency aid for the victims of ongoing monsoons in India and Bangladesh, reads press note from the EC. “The remaining funds will be provided in Nepal and the Philippines as well as for disaster risk reduction initiatives in the region.”
“The countries in South Asia are facing an increasingly worse monsoon season,” according to Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.
“Heavy rains and flooding have created a large-scale humanitarian situation in India and Bangladesh,” Stylianides said, adding that EU solidarity makes a difference its support will reach those most in need providing water, sanitation and essential supplies, during these difficult times. “In the wider region, the EU is also supporting Nepal and the Philippines to be better prepared for natural disasters and get aid to those most in need.”
EU funding for monsoon victims will be distributed between India and Bangladesh, where more than 500,000 people have been displaced. The situation has affected mainly the states of Assam and Bihar in India and the North of Bangladesh. Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh where almost 1 million refugees live in the world's largest camp, is also affected.
The support comes on top of €2 million allocated to support several regional disaster risk reduction initiatives in South and Southeast Asia, and an additional €2 million dedicated to Nepal to improve both national and local response capacities in the events of fire, floods and earthquakes, particularly in cities.
Since 1998, the European Commission has invested over €88 million to fund Disaster Risk Reduction and preparedness programmes in South and Southeast Asia, supporting – among others – initiatives like the building of flood-resistant infrastructures and the reinforcement of Early Warning Systems.

India extends 30 million aid to Nepal to build educational institution

Nepal has received financial aid from India amounting Rs 30.20 million to construct an educational institute in the Udayapur district. The financial aid was extended today to inaugurate Shree Narad Adarsha Education in Chaudandigadhi Municipality of Udayapur district. The institute was inaugurated by former Urban Development Minister and Nepali Congress leader Narayan Khadha, in the presence of Indian deputy chief of Mission Ajay Kumar. It is a two-storied building and is affiliated to the Tribhuvan University (TU), according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. Tribhuvan University is one of the oldest public universities in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal that was established in the year 1959.
With the new infrastructure in place, students from adjoining districts, including Bhojpur, Khotang, Sunsari and Saptari will also get access to higher education.
India extended financial help to Nepal due to its ongoing project for the Small Development Programme Scheme under the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between both the nations in September 2016 for the construction of the building.
India has helped Nepal's education institute to further extend its operations. Although the institute was established in the year 1971, it could only extend education till secondary level. The institute was upgraded later to a bigger campus in the year 2003. After 2003, it is now that Shree Narad Adarsha Education will add additional buildings to enhance the intake of the students. The current capacity of the institute is of 770 students. Candidates seeking admission in the institute can pursue 10+2 level education and can also enroll for the 3-year Bachelor's degree course.
Till date, 135 students have enrolled for the Bachelor of Education programme and about 70 per cent of these candidates are girls. The new infrastructure will see 12 new classrooms, separate toilets for boys and girls, furniture, library, and meeting hall.

SDC pledges $130 million to Nepal

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has announced $130 million aid for Nepal through 2021.
The Swiss Cooperation Strategy for Nepal 2018-2021 foresees total disbursements in Nepal of approximately $130 million (equivalent to Rs 14.7 billion) for four years, according to a press note from the SDC Office Kathmandu. "The Swiss cooperation emphasises on inclusive federal state building, promotion of employment and income, and contribution to safety of Nepali migrant workers."
"Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, and Disaster Risk Reduction are also included in Swiss programme portfolio in a cross-cutting manner," the note reads, adding that it focuses on interventions mainly at the state and local levels, fostering in particular the socio-economic development of women and members of disadvantaged population groups, and building sustainable and inclusive institutions. "The SDC will help promote inclusive growth through the use of innovation and Swiss know-how, as well as new financing models and increased cooperation with the private sector."
The promotion of peace, stability and human rights will remain important pillars of Swiss engagement in Nepal, SDC Ddirector general ambassador Manuel Sager said at a press meet at the conclusion of his five-day Nepal visit today.
Within the light of 60 years of the Swiss Development Cooperation in Nepal, ambassador Sager was on a five-day visit to Nepal from March 18 to March 22. He was accompanied by head of South Asia Division at SDC Dr Derek Müller.
During his visit, ambassador Sager also held high-level meetings with the finance minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada and foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, apart from representatives of international development partners. Ambassador Sager also visited Swiss funded projects in and around Ramechhap district
Switzerland will continue to support Nepal’s ongoing federal state building process as a competent and innovative partner, the press note further reads, adding that it will remain engaged in building the systems, institutions and capacities at sub-national levels. "At the same time, SDC will fully support initiative taken on vocational education by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Nepal government."

ADB lending hits record high, disbursement fails to match

The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) annual lending to Nepal hit a record high in 2018, but disbursement has been lagging. ADB’s total lending reached $592 million and technical assistance at $8.01 million – including $5.31 million in cofinancing – in 2018 for projects in transport, urban development and water supply, energy, rural roads, agriculture, and natural resources.
"This is a substantial increase from the $253 million a year on average lending during 2014–2016 that demonstrates ADB’s strong commitment to Nepal’s economic development and improving the lives of its people,” said ADB’s deputy director general for South Asia Diwesh Sharan.
Speaking at a country portfolio review meeting jointly organised by ADB and Finance Ministry Sharan also said ADB’s portfolio performance in Nepal has shown good progress in recent years but contract awards and disbursement could be better. "In 2018, disbursements – as a measure of actual project implementation progress on the ground –totaled $246.7 million, excluding cofinancing, and met 80 per cent of the original target," he added. "Of the net available funding amount of $2.8 billion spread over 36 investment projects, 61 per cent is still to be disbursed."
“Nepal has entered into a federal structure, which can considerably improve service delivery to the people,” Sharan said, adding that there is, but, a gap in capacity both at the central and the sub-national government levels that needs to be addressed for timely and successful project implementation. "This in turn will improve services that people receive on the ground."
Nepal was able to utilise less than half of the loan commitments made by the ADB in 2018 due to the poor capacity of all its three tier of governments, the Nepal Portfolio Performance Review 2018 revealed.
Nepal could use $246.7 million – some 41.6 per cent – of the loan commitments totalling $592 million made by the ADB. Of the disbursed loans, most were utilised in transport and energy-related projects, the review report reads, adding that over the period, contracts worth $131.9 million were awarded to transport-related projects compared to the target of $157 million. Contracts valued at $95.1 million were awarded to energy-related projects, well short of the target of $160 million.
At a special ceremony held during the meeting, finance secretary Rajan Khanal presented awards to ADB-supported projects that showed excellent results. Rural Connectivity Improvement Project, Skills Development Project, and Regional Urban Development Project won outstanding project management teams awards on the occasion.
The Disaster Resilience of Schools Project was awarded in the category of best team for procurement management, whereas the Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Improvement Project-Additional Financing received the best team awards in the categories of environmental and social safeguard monitoring and gender equality and social inclusion.
"These awards recognise the project teams' efforts in achievement of targets and ensuring that the environment, social safeguards, and gender equality and social inclusion aspects were also considered during project implementation,” said ADB country director for Nepal Mukhtor Khamudkhanov. “All these are critical for results on the ground that promote socially inclusive development," he added.
Since 1966, ADB has approved assistance totaling $5.8 billion for Nepal. ADB's portfolio consists of 36 projects amounting to $2.8 billion and 18 technical assistance projects worth $26.4 million. The Asian Development Bank had also pledged to provide $8.01 million in technical assistance and $5.31 million in co-financing. The bank pledged the assistance for transport, urban development and water supply, energy, rural roads, agriculture and natural resources projects.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty, the multilateral development partner said, adding that it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to $21.6 billion in 2018. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members, 48 from the region.

JICA appoints Yumiko Asakuma as new chief representative

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has appointted Yumiko Asakuma as its new chief representative for JICA Nepal Office.
Asakuma will take over Jun Sakuma, who recently completed his tenure in Nepal. Prior to this assignment Asakuma was working as director general in Yokohama Centre, JICA. She began her career in JICA in 1993 in the social development cooperation department and diversified her work experience in various departments of JICA office which includes Industrial and mining development study, grant aid cooperation, training group and representative of JICA India office. She also served as a chief representative of JICA Bhutan Office from December 2012 to March 2016.
Asakuma is a graduate from Osaka Prefectural University in Department of Integrated Arts and Sciences. She is privileged to lead JICA Nepal Office as its new chief representative and expressed her commitment in providing continued support to the people of Nepal and its government further towards development and prosperity.
She further assured to work towards realising JICA's vision 'Leading the world with trust' in Nepal.