The United Kingdom has pledged a financial assistance of around 20 billion
rupees to Nepal for the next three years.

UK Minister for International Development Mike Foster announced the aid packages at the end of his three-day tour on Thursday.

British International Development Minister Mike Foster (L) releasing the three-year Country Business Plan of Department for International Development (DFID) at a programme in Kathmandu at the end of his three-day visit to Nepal Thursday, Apr 02 09. nepalnews.com/rh

British International Development Minister Mike Foster (L) releasing the…
This package is aimed at addressing the impact of the global economic downturn on Nepal by helping to increase economic growth and make it easier for business to invest to create many new jobs.

The assistance is intended to give more than two million people better access to work and basic services, such as education and hospitals, by building new roads across the country.

Additionally, Foster announced an extra 4 m pound to help 285,000 people affected by drought and conflict in the remote Western Hills of Nepal.

While speaking at the launching of the three year plan in Kathmandu, Foster said, “The UK is always ready to lend support to Nepal to protect the fragile peace process apart from restoring, rebuilding and renewing the country after the conflict.”

Foster meets Koirala, DPM Gautam

Earlier today, Foster held separate parleys with Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam on the final day of his trip to Nepal.

Nepal’s current peace process and drafting of new constitution topped the issues of discussion during both the meetings. Foster met Koirala at the latter’s Maharajgunj residence while the meeting with DPM Gautam, who is also the acting Prime Minister, took place at Singha Durbar.

The NC president conveyed his concern to the British minister over “growing impunity, attacks on press freedom and attempts of the Maoists to weaken democracy”, Koirala’s aide Dr Suresh Chalise, who was present at the meeting, said.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with the British minister, DPM Gautam said the discussion dwelled mainly on the peace process, current security situation and constitution-drafting process.

At the meeting, Gautam explained that there were some problems in maintaining security situation, but the problems would be tackled through consensus among the political parties.

Foster also pledged the British government’s help in maintaining law and order and concluding the peace process.

Foster arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday to unveil the three-year development plan of the Department for International Development (DFID). During his stay in Nepal, he also visited far and mid-western districts and some Maoist cantonments. nepalnews.com Apr 02 09