National consensus needed for BRI implementation: Former Prime Minister Khanal

Kathmandu, March 16: Former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal has said that Nepal should reap maximum benefits from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project put forward by neighbouring China.     

At a press conference organized here to inform about the conclusions of the ‘Kasthamandap Dialogue’ organized by the ‘Foundation for Peace, Development and Socialism’, he said that like many other countries Nepal should also benefit from the BRI, which is one of the world’s largest development project. Khanal stressed that political parties should take the initiative to seek national consensus for its effective implementation in Nepal.     

Pointing out the need to accelerate its implementation since Nepal has already signed the BRI framework, former Prime Minister Khanal argued that however projects under BRI should be implemented only by keeping Nepal’s interests at the forefront. Nepal should prioritize technology transfer and make maximum use of concessional loans and other financial mechanisms.     

At the program, Sichuan University Professor Dr Yunsong Huang said that he believed that Nepal should determine its own priorities and any international project should be taken forward by making autonomous decision according to its needs.(RSS)