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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the Swiss government to help bring in more foreign direct investment for Nepal's economic development and prosperity.

During a meeting with Swiss Ambassador to Nepal Daniel Meuli at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar today, Prime Minister Oli stressed that foreign aid would be a catalyst for the country's development.

He mentioned that the government of Nepal has been making efforts to make the state structures accountable to the people by strengthening democracy, sharing that the practice of Switzerland for the development of inclusive democratic structure has been established here.

Expressing commitment that the government would carry out necessary reforms to increase foreign direct investment, the Prime Minister explained that there was enthusiastic participation of 50 countries in the recently held Nepal Investment Summit. 

Prime Minister Oli expected an increment of support from development partners as the country has set a goal of graduating to the developing country from least developed country by 2026 and to become middle-income country by 2030.

He thanked the Swiss government for its continued support to Nepal's development endeavors, preventing COVID-19 and to the peace process.

On the occasion, the Swiss Ambassador congratulated and extended best wishes to Prime Minister Oli for his successful tenure and assured of continuing collaboration and cooperation between the two countries.

The Millennium Challenges Account Nepal Development Committee (MCA-Nepal) has contracted an Indian company for the construction of a 400KV substation at Damauli, Tanahun. Techno Electric and Engineering Ltd was contracted for the construction of a 400KV substation at the cost of USD 38.89 million.

With this, contracts for all three substations of 400 KV each have been made under the MCC Nepal Compact.

Executive Director at MCA-Nepal, Khadga Bahadur Bista, and Trade Director of Techno Electric and Engineering Ltd, Rajiv Agrawal, signed the contract amidst a function attended by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, and the US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean Thompson, in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Addressing the program, Energy Minister Khadka viewed that the contract for the construction of the substation would reinforce the electricity distribution system, thereby paving a way for the economic prosperity of the country. Contracts for all three substations are made. He called on all stakeholders concerned to make rigorous efforts for the timely completion of the project.

Chair of the MCA-Nepal Board of Directors and Secretary at the Finance Ministry, Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire, said, "It is good progress that MCA Nepal made for the enforcement of the MCC-Nepal compact. These three substations are significant for expanding the energy regime of Nepal, which would be a backbone of economic developments."

Ghimire further observed that the construction of the substations would not only spur industrial and trade activities but also contribute to sustainable power supply.

Similarly, Ambassador Thompson said, "I highly appreciate the roles of the all- Nepal government, Finance Ministry, Energy Ministry, NEA, and MCA-Nepal- for the collaborative approach to ensure progress in the project which helps build a prosperous future for the Nepalis."

The MCC-Nepal Compact is a strong support for ensuring electricity to every house via inclusive and sustainable economic development, contributing additional power to the national economy, and creating jobs and reducing poverty, according to Thompson.

Moreover, Executive Director Bista said it was a milestone to complete signing of three substations to be developed under the project within a year of the project in effect.

With the completion of the present Damauli substation, it will be a vital infrastructure for the transmission of electricity from Ratmate, Lekhnath and New Butwal Substation.

The MCC-Nepal Compact has been extending financial support to build three substations under the project to ensure power supply in the 314-km distance that reaches the border to India- from Lapsephedi of Kathmandu to Bardaghat Susta, Nawalparasi.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song has paid a courtesy call on Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari today.

In the meeting held at the Ministry in Singha Durbar, Minister Bhandari said the relations between Nepal and People's Republic of China were very close historically, politically and culturally.

He asserted, "I feel that the people-to-people relations and mutual cooperation between the two countries have further expanded the dimensions of Nepal-China relations. I would like to make it clear that the Government of Nepal is committed to One-China Policy and is determined not to allow its land to be misused for any kind of anti-China activities."

Citing the high-level visits exchanged between the two countries in the recent years to further bolster bilateral ties, he assured that Nepal was committed to contribute towards China's peace, stability and development.

The minister acknowledged China as an important and credible development partner to Nepal for its socio-economic development.

"China is the second biggest partner of Nepal in the field of trade while it is the first investor in field of Foreign Direct Investment," he said, lauding the important role played by China in Nepal's bid to development especially in the areas of trade, infrastructures, connectivity, energy, agriculture and industrial development, among others.

He mentioned that the volume of trade between the two countries has increased significantly after the re-operation of border checkpoints.  Minister Bhandari, however, lamented that although China is Nepal's second biggest partner in trade, there was a huge gap between imports and exports.

He said that his Ministry was eager to develop trade related infrastructures, upgrade transportation systems, reform the customs services and modernize the logistic system and expressed his confidence that bilateral trade could be significantly enlarged through China's specialization and benefits from investment.

He also expressed his confidence that the dry port, under-construction in support of the Chinese government at Timure in Rasuwa, would be completed within the stipulated deadline.

The minister was also hopeful towards the earliest implementation of the principal agreement signed between Nepal and China to develop infrastructures at Korala of Mustang.

He apprised the Chinese envoy that the exploration of petroleum products in Dailekh being undertaken in Chinese government's support was being accelerated.

Recalling the encouraging participation of Chinese investors in the third Investment Summit organized by the government of Nepal last April, he believed that more Chinese investment would be attracted in Nepal in the coming days.

He also admitted that he was very excited to coordinate efforts with the Chinese government to expand the market of Nepali products in China.

In response, Chinese Ambassador Song reaffirmed his commitment towards further expanding Nepal-China mutual relations thereby creating a friendly environment.

Stating that China had been a development and trade partner to Nepal, he shared that he has been working towards creating an enabling environment for cooperation by holding interactions with concerned Ministries including the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the CPN-UML-Nepali Congress coalition government will carry out its duties as per the spirit of the seven-point agreement between the two parties.  

Addressing the government ministers and secretaries at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, he assured that he shall tender his resignation and hand over power to Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba a week before his two-year term ends.

“You don’t need to worry about this coalition collapsing all of a sudden. This government will not collapse, nor will it even wobble. It was formed with a sense of duty. It was created by major parties with wisdom and careful consideration. There will be no instability.”

The prime minister also advised ministers not to criticize others during the first 100 days of the government's term, but instead carry out their duties responsibly. 

“Focus on your work. Every ministry should work toward producing attractive reports within 100 days to show what has been accomplished.” 

Reassuring secretaries to make decisions without fear, Prime Minister Oli noted that the current government does not even have the luxury of a ‘honeymoon period.’ 

Prime Minister Oli also issued a 26-point directive to government ministers and secretaries on fundamental tasks that need to be accomplished.

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Prime Minister’s directives

1. Senior citizens unable to stand in line for services like driving license, passport, citizenship, and national ID is a sad state of affairs. This issue was observed in a Lalitpur office. Such incidents frustrate the public and must end. Employees are here to serve, not to govern. We must serve the people with kindness. Services can be made practical and effective through the Citizen App. The relevant ministries and agencies should provide these services easily. 

2. This government has come with the responsibility of stability, so work with confidence.

3. It is not appropriate for employees in state ministries and agencies to receive meeting allowances when over 20 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. We must commit to serving the country and the people. 

4. Instead of starting new projects, we must focus on completing the ones already underway. The main focus should be on completing tasks.

5. We should aim to save billions spent on fuel imports by focusing on the development and use of hydropower.

6. Israel and Malaysia are turning seawater into drinking water. We should also think about branding Sagarmatha’s (Mount Everest’s) water.

7. There should be no delays in anything. Citizens who travel long distances and spend money to come to government offices should have their work done without hassle. 

8. Do not create unnecessary committees and structures. Work in a way that shows results.

9. We must work with dedication for the country and the people, and shake off the habit of shift responsibilities on others.

10. Adopt a system of completing tasks on time through performance and delegation of authority. Work according to the law, taking responsibility instead of relying solely on orders.

11. We are responsible for achieving sustainable development goals. Ending poverty should be our main target.

12. There are complications in proving the legitimacy of one’s own property. Situations like having to show the source even when selling one’s own property need to be addressed. These uncertainties and technical hurdles must be addressed.

13. There have been claims of budget shortages for work. What is the reality? Regular budgets are being spent, but development expenditures are low. Development delivers to the people. Therefore, there must be sufficient capital expenditure. We need to move toward a system where work starts as soon as a request is made and decisions are given quickly. 

14. The situation where insurance payouts, VAT refunds, and payments for farmers' milk and sugarcane are not made is not good. They take loans to invest, and delaying payments puts them in trouble. This hinders agricultural modernization.

15. Contractors not receiving payment for completed work should not happen. Completed work payments should not be stopped due to unresolved accounts or other reasons.

16. We must adhere to financial discipline. Work should be done transparently. Grants should be distributed systematically. Entrepreneurs should be encouraged, but misuse of grants for personal agricultural subsidies should be monitored.

17. Do not be enthusiastic about increasing tax rates. The monetary policy has brought good momentum in the market, which should be maintained. The market should be kept dynamic.

18. Dharahara is built but not operational due to parking issues. It should be operational even if a parking fee is charged. Nepali people contributed millions to the “I will build my Dharahara” campaign. The public has participated in its reconstruction but has not yet been able to visit Dharahara. I instruct that it be made operational as soon as possible.

19. Up to 100 days of the government's term, ministers should not criticize others. Focus on your work. Each ministry should work toward delivering attractive reports within 100 days.

20. Projects prioritized should not take years to complete.

21. We will hold the Sagarmatha Dialogue, so make preparations accordingly.

22. Why wasn’t the National Talent Award, started with the money from an international award I received with additional budget allocations, regularized? It should be regular. We must encourage talent.

23. There have been incidents of air and vehicle accidents. We need to plant deep-rooted trees along highways and design new constructions to be safe. We plan to operate trains and ships as well. There is public demand for trains. This will be our priority.

24. The People’s Housing and Integrated Development Program should be linked to business. Relocating squatters in Kathmandu to isolated areas without market access was not effective. Learning from such projects, we must work practically and appropriately.

25. Decide within three months whether to use pesticides in vegetables or not.

26. We need to collaborate with the private sector. Listen to grievances from the business sector