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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government accords priority to the amendments to laws to bring in foreign investment as per the commitment.

Addressing the 57th meeting of the Investment Board Nepal today, the Prime Minister, who also serves as the Board Chair, said the government prioritizes the legal amendments as it seeks to mobilize domestic and foreign investment in the country's infrastructure and service sectors. 

On the occasion, he underlined the need to send a message to the international community that Nepal enables an atmosphere for investment.

This meeting is taking place on the eve of the Investment Summit and time demands to mobilize our mechanism for promoting the message about the situation suitable for investment internally, according to the PM, who insisted on the need for promptness and smartness in our service delivery.  "Ministries and departments of office should focus on results-based performance to convince the foreign community to invest in Nepal."

He stressed that the Board should make additional efforts to enable an atmosphere for the mobilization of private investment on a large scale.

According to the Board Chair, it is necessary for the government and the Board as well to create a base for rapid economic growth and transformations in a short time, instilling a ray of hope among the people.

Underlining the need to build an environment for public-private partnerships in Nepal, the Prime Minister instructed the Board to focus on that end.

He also underscored the need to orient the government bodies and province and local levels about exploring the results-based PPP projects and implementing them successfully.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has said that the government is carrying out works to provide public services in an easy manner at their home itself.

He said so while launching the new 'module' inaugurated from today by the Department of Consular Services. Through this module, the Nepalis living in foreign countries can easily register their complaints and problems through the embassy concerned.

On the occasion, DPM Shrestha mentioned that the present government has been carrying out works as per its commitment, made since the beginning, of providing public services to the people in a smooth and easy manner.

"We have launched this service to provide the government's services to the people in a prompt, efficient and flawless manner at their home using the information technology," he said, adding that with the start of this service Nepali citizens living abroad will be able to express their problems and complaints from home, and also be able to acquire information online regarding the initiatives to address their complaints and problems.

According to the DPM and Foreign Minister, the Department has made arrangements as per the government's pledge before this by which the police certificate can be taken online.

At the program, Department director-general Prakash Mani Poudel gave information about the available services in the new module. "A new folder is created in the module once the service-seeker enters his/her passport number and date of birth. The folder has features in which one can write one's problems and complaints and also get information on measures to address them," he said.

Director-general Poudel said this service has been started to facilitate the Nepali embassies abroad to carry out the works of maximum number of service-seekers through a limited number of their staff.

CPN-UML Parliamentary Party leader for Karnali Province Assembly, Yamlal Kandel, is to stake a claim for the chief ministerial post in the province.

Province Chief Tilak Pariyar on Thursday called on political parties to present their claims for forming a new government after Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma tendered his resignation on Wednesday.

He, in accordance with Article 168 (2) of the Constitution, called on any PA member capable of securing a majority with the support of two or more political parties to stake a claim for the post of chief minister.

According to UML Chief Whip for the Province, Tekraj Pachhain, leader Kandel has the support of the CPN (Maoist Center).  "We are preparing to present the claim today itself," he said 

The deadline for submitting the claim is 5:50 pm on April 9, 2024. 

Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the Province Chief assigned the existing government to look after the day-to-day operation of the governance until the formation of a new government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has informed the Parliament about the achievements of his recent official visit to the People's Republic of China.

Speaking in a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), the lower house of the Federal Parliament, today, he said important achievements have been made on expanding the area of mutual cooperation through enhanced coordination and collaboration between the two countries.

On the occasion, DPM Shrestha said the visit has contributed to further strengthening the mutual goodwill, respect, and trust between the two countries.

The minister viewed that the historic and friendly relations between the two countries have reached new heights through this visit.

Stating that the trade and transit points with China, namely Rasuwagadhi-Kerung, Tatopani-Jhangu, Yari-Puran and Nechung-Korala have already come into operation before this, he said the Chinese side has expressed its readiness to open 14 traditional trade transits closed after the COVID pandemic.

Minister Shrestha informed that discussions have been held with the Chinese side regarding constituting a joint commission at the foreign ministers' level of both countries in order to hold high-level consultations on the various dimensions of the existing Nepal-China friendly relations. He added that both sides are positive on this. 

According to him, discussions were held during the visit also on implementation of the BRI Implementation Plan giving it the final touch.

During the visit, Minister Shrestha extended an invitation to his counterpart Wang Yi to visit Nepal at his convenient time. "Both parties have agreed for an effective implementation of Nepal-China agreements and to regularize the meetings of existing mechanisms to expedite the pace of cooperation," the Minister said.  According to him, with his visit to the northern neighbor, the mutual relations and respect between Nepal and China have reached a new height.

"The discussions held during the visit were comprehensive and open, focusing on mutual assistance and cooperation," said the minister, expressing hope that the trip contributed to further strengthening the centuries-old, multi-dimensional, and friendly relations between Nepal and China.

He briefed the House that the Chinese side is positive for ensuring trans-border pastureland for the Nepali community residing on the Nepal-China border as per the agreement reached in 2012 and electrification at some Nepali villages there.

Similarly, the Chinese side responded positively to the call of Nepal to resume the Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service, facilitating the exports of buff, medicinal herbs, vegetables, and fruits from Nepal to China. During the discussions, Minister Shrestha urged China to establish multi-dimensional labs in certain areas along the Nepal-China border and provide capital and technological assistance to enhance Nepal's agricultural sector productivity.

Both parties have been positive about operating the flights from Kathmandu and Pokhara to various cities in China. Likewise, both parties have expressed interest in expanding transnational roadways, air flight services, and electricity transmission lines to Nepal-China connectivity. Both parties have agreed to come up with agriculture, tourism, hydropower, and infrastructure projects and implement them.

He said he urged the Chinese government and private sector investors for their enthusiastic participation in the Nepal Investment Summit scheduled to take place on April 28-29, for their support to make the Nepal Visit Year 2025, considering investing in Nepal's diverse sectors.

DPM Shrestha had been on a visit to China from March 24 to March 31, at the invitation of Communist Party of China (CPC)'s political bureau central committee member and China's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi.