AIIB official meets Minister Shrestha

Kathmandu: Director General of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Rajat Misra, met Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha.

According to the Minister’s secretariat, the discussion held at the Ministry on Thursday centred on advancing energy sector and enhancing disaster preparedness and early warning systems.

Minister Shrestha proposed a collaborative effort to develop Nepal into a regional energy hub, reminding the importance of energy sector as a cornerstone of the nation’s economy. He also expressed gratitude for the support received in Nepal’s energy initiatives.

During the meeting, the Minister shared information on the ongoing projects, including construction of transmission lines and the expansion of substations in various districts such as Surkhet, Salyan, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Rukum West, Jumla, Mugu, Humla, Dang, Banke, Bardiya and Rolpa in the Lumbini and Karnali regions.

The works on it are funded by AIIB. He expressed hope Nepal would continue receiving further assistance for building distribution systems and transmission lines in order increase energy consumption in urban areas.

Special collaboration from partners like AIIB was imperative for Nepal’s ambitious goal of generating 30,000 megawatts of electricity over the next decade, according to him. Minister Shrestha argued the flood forecasting system has been improved after the Bhotekoshi flood.

Government was at work to create a more favourable atmosphere for private sector to invest in Nepal by addressing policy gaps in the electricity sector. He also sought valuable policy recommendations from AIIB in the related issues.

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