Nepal, China sign four MOUs for vital health, other projects

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 22: A delegation of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) led by its Chairman Chen Xiaodong met with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel on Monday.

The meeting held at the Ministry of Finance discussed bilateral relations between Nepal and China, development partnership, projects implemented and to be implemented with Chinese assistance, according to the Ministry of Finance. After the bilateral meeting, Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for four projects were signed.

The memorandum of understanding was signed for the construction of bone marrow transplantation facility at the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, Chitwan, and a feasibility study for the expansion of the Civil Service Hospital. 

Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, on behalf of the government of Nepal, and CIDCA Chairman Chen Xiaodong, on behalf of China, have signed the MoU.

As per the agreement, a Bone Marrow Cancer Treatment Centre spread over an area of 1,834 square meters will be constructed at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital and the necessary machinery will be installed. 

This will make a significant contribution to the treatment 

of bone marrow cancer. 

Similarly, a feasibility study will be conducted for the expansion of the Civil Service Hospital. 

It is expected that the implementation of these two agreements will make a significant contribution to the health sector of Nepal.

On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding on Human Resource Development was signed between Nepal and China. 

This will provide an opportunity for 1,270 government employees to participate in bilateral and multilateral seminars organised by various Chinese organisations. It will significantly contribute to capacity building of employees.

Likewise, on the occasion, another MoU has been signed for a feasibility study on the construction of the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung cross-border transmission line. 

Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority Hitendra Dev Shaky and CIDCA Chairman Chen Xiaodong have signed the MoU for feasibility study on the construction of the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung cross-border transmission line.

During the meeting, DPM Paudel discussed the multifaceted relations between Nepal and China and thanked the CIDCA Chairman for visiting Nepal. 

He expressed his hope that the high-level visit would take the bilateral relations between Nepal and China to a higher level.

Highlighting the importance of Nepal-China relations, Finance Secretary Upadhyaya said that projects agreed to be built will contribute to Nepal's health sector, human resource development and cross-border electricity trade, which will benefit the Nepali people. 

He expressed confidence that China, a friendly country, will provide additional support in infrastructure construction in the coming days.

China commits to assist reconstruction of structures damaged by floods

The government of China has agreed to assist in the reconstruction of physical structures damaged by floods in Rasuwa district.

In the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, CIDCA Chairman Xiaodong said that necessary assistance will be provided for the reconstruction of physical structures and that the customs services will be 

resumed quickly. He expressed his gratitude for the activeness and cooperation shown by the Nepali government in the rescue and search for missing persons after the floods.

DPM Paudel said that post-disaster reconstruction is a top priority for Nepal and thanked the Chinese side for their readiness, interest and commitment towards the reconstruction of physical infrastructure.

"Rasuwa border crossing is important not only for import and export but also in terms of revenue. Therefore, let's move forward with the reconstruction quickly," he said.