Finance Minister hails support of EU

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 8: Ambassador of the European Union delegation to Nepal Nona Deprez paid a courtesy call on Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat on Friday.

In the meeting held at the Ministry of Finance, the two reviewed the assistance received from the European Union and discussed the issue of further assistance to Nepal, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance.

The European Union has been providing support in the areas of quality education, climate change and renewable energy. 

Finance Minister Dr. Mahat said that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was willing to work in Nepal.

The support from the European Union is important for Nepal, he said, adding that discussion was focused on Nepal’s desire to develop tourism, energy and physical infrastructure.

Minister Dr. Mahat said that the European Union was excited to help in the field of production of skilled human resources by widening the scope of cooperation. 

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) met with Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat and apprised the Minister of their problems.

The NRNA representatives raised issues such as an investment-friendly environment and continuity of citizenship of Non-resident Nepalis.

 On the occasion, Dr. Mahat said that there was a practical difficulty in implementing the provision in the constitution regrading the citizenship of NRNs.

“Now there is an investment problem in Nepal, the government is with NRNs for the safety of their investment” said Finance Minister Dr. Mahat.

“The government will never do anything to disappoint the NRNs. The Non-resident Nepalis who want to invest should not be discouraged for any reason,” he said. 

The Minister assured that the Economic Act would help improve the investment friendly environment if the NRNs experiences any problem. 

He said that many things could be addressed through the upcoming budget.