The Finance Ministry is holding consultations with the donors to seek their support for the reconstruction of the damaged physical infrastructure and to give impetus to economic activities in the country.
Talking to Nepalnews, joint secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Pramod Karki, informed that Nepal will present its need for reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure and other help essential for the economic development of the country and seek support from donor agencies.
Karki, who had also participated in the 39th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad last week, informed that Nepal has urged the donors to make available between US$1.25 to $1.50 billion to carry out massive reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes.
Since the meeting was a high-level one and was meant for discussing the issues of economic situation of the country, we did not put forth our demand in the floor but made the proposal to the donor countries during the sidelines meetings, said he.
“We will present the real scenario of the country and the exact need of assistance for the reconstruction and rehabilitation during the meetings of the local donors and approach for assistance through them,” Karki added.
He informed that the ministry was going to call a meeting of local donors within next one or two weeks after internal preparation at the Ministry.
The ADB president and other donor countries are positive about the political development of the country and have expressed readiness to assist us, he said.
“Though the meeting did not commit to provide assistance, the donors are positive to extend support to Nepal,” he added.
“I had meeting with Indian Prime Minister and Finance Minister in which they inquired about the situation in Nepal and also assured to give special package to Nepal,” Karki added.
Talking to Nepalnews Dr. Shankar Sharma, former vice-president of the National Planning Commission, said that the planning body had pointed out the need to double the foreign assistance to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
“We demanded to double the foreign aid of US$ 400 million per year to meet the targets of MDGs’,” Sharma said, adding, “There is need of investment in the infrastructures development for economic growth, employment generation and for the market development.
We should also give high priority for the development of infrastructures at the moment, Dr. Sharma added.
Major countries and organizations had suspended their assistance to Nepal following the February 1 royal takeover of last year, terming the move as a setback to democracy.
Many donor countries and organizations have pledged their assistance to Nepal Following the recent political change in the country and asked the government to present its development needs.
Norwegian Minister for International Development, Erik Solheim, during his recent visit to Nepal also expressed commitment, on behalf of his government, towards continued support to Nepal.