Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said his Nordic trip has been fruitful and its impacts would be felt soon in Nepal.

Talking to Nepali journalists at his hotel in Oslo before leaving for Finland on Wednesday, PM Dahal said his Norwegian counterpart Stoltenberg had pledged to increase assistance to Nepal in areas of hydropower, education and peace process.

The PM has asked Stoltenberg to construct either a hydropower project, a polytechnic institute or develop power grids in Nepal as a gift during its transitional phase.

Dahal informed the government would present a framework of a suitable statute on investment in hydropower sector at the ongoing session of the parliament so that the works on the proposed 600 MW Tamakoshi III hydropower project can commence as soon as possible.

SN Power, a Norwegian government utility had received license to carry out feasibility study of Tamakoshi III on March 4.

The PM said he would request Finland to overhaul the Biratnagar based 39 MW thermal plant so that it could be operated on full capacity. The thermal plant was established with Finnish aid. nepalnews.com Apr 02 09