November 09, 2001
KATHMANDU: Sweden Friday gave Nepal a Rs.1965 million grant to execute the Melamchi drinking water project to supply thirsty Kathmanduites with potable water, the Finance Ministry said. The total cost of the project is Rs.35658.4 million equivalent to $464 million.
The project is being implemented by a consortium of the Asian Development Bank, Sweden, European International Cooperation, Norway, NDF, OPEC Fund and Japan. Negotiations are being finalized for Japanese investment in the ambitious project.
Nepal is meeting 25.4 percent of the total project cost. This is the first Swedish grant to Nepal. Finance Secretary Dr. Bimal Koirala and Swedish Ambassador Johan Nordenfelt signed the grant agreement.
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba later held bilateral talks with Nordenfelt.