Minister Khadka terms tripartite power trade agreement as historic step

Kathmandu, Oct. 3: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Dipak Khadka has stated that the tripartite power trade deal signed to export Nepal's hydroelectricity to Bangladesh was of historic importance.     

Nepal's hydroelectricity to be exported to Bangladesh through India's transmission system was an important milestone and it would expand further dimensions in the days to come.     

He was of the view that the tripartite power deal was a milestone for Nepal's energy sector since Nepal's hydroelectricity is being exported to the third country for the first time in Nepal's history.     

This is the outcome of the convening of the six successful meetings of the joint taskforce and joint steering committee after the signing of the MoU between Nepal and Bangladesh in 2018 and the continuous efforts afterward, according to Minister Khadka.     

He expressed confidence that the energy trade deal would further deepen and strengthen Nepal-Bangladesh relations at the people to people level.     

Minister Khadka also thanked the Indian government for its continued support to supplying Nepal's electricity to Bangladesh.     

Minister Khadka urged investors from neighbouring countries' private and public sectors to invest in Nepal's hydropower projects.     

Also speaking at the event, Bangladesh's Minister for Forest, Environment, Climate Change, and Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that the tripartite deal was a historic milestone for energy cooperation in South Asia.     

Likewise, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Shrivastava said India was committed to the South Asia sub-regional power cooperation.(RSS)