Kathmandu, Apr. 20:Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya has said that the programme of comprehensive economic, organisational and policy reform announced by His Majesty’s Government is not meant just for bringing in foreign investment but also for mobilising internal means and resources, encouraging investment and making wise use of capital and technology so as to build the basis for development in the country.

Finance Minister Acharya, who returned to the capital today after participating in the Nepal Development Forum meeting in the French capital Paris, said there is ample scope for bringing foreign investment to Nepal if  reliable economic structures and mechanisms for development could be put in place through mobilisation of internal means and resources and streamlining to facilitate the development process.

He said this reform program has been advanced by hmg for the development of Nepal and upliftment of the Nepalese people. Our need today is to strengthen institutional structures, control corruption, reform the financial sector and make optimum use of means and resources, he added.

He said it will be a great help in the effective implementation of  the reform program if there is political stability in the country and awareness and support among the responsible political parties.

In answer to a question, he said the Nepalese people, civil society and responsible political parties should exercise sensitivity towards the development of Nepal and the upliftment of the people.

Mr Acharya said the reform program is not complete in itself but requires further refinement, additional input and new policy-wise reform.

He said a direct assault on poverty in Nepal cannot be made without rising above minimum levels of savings, investment and economic growth rate.

He observed that in his concluding remarks at the Nepal Development Forum meeting in Paris, he said at this critical juncture of  economic reform and development Nepal’s friends are prepared to support her and her people more actively and intensively.

National Planning Commission vice chairman Prithviraj Ligal said the meeting had agreed on giving the government responsibility as the main player and for coordinating among donors.