Kathmandu, Jan.12: The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (sida) has decided to continue its support to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain development (icimod) for another three years, according to a press release from icimod.

A total amount of 4 million Swedish Kroner (us $ 475,000) will be provided for the next three years towards the Centre’s core programme for sustainable development in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas.

An agreement to this effect was recently signed by Ms. Eidi Genfors, head of Asia and Latin America division of SIDA, and Mr. Egbert Pelinck, director general of icimod.

Mr. Pelinck expressed his great appreciation for SIDA’s generous support, noting that Sweden is one of seven donors that provide core support to the centre.

Others are Austria, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.

The main focus of icimod’s present programme is promoting options for improved livelihoods for mountain households, gender balanced development, and management of common property natural resources.

These issues are also high on the agenda of Sweden’s development cooperation policy.