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Nepal and Switzerland have signed an agreement for the implementation of the project "Reintegration of Returnee Migrant Workers (ReMi)" utilizing the Swiss Franc 6.8 million (equivalent to Rs. 861.3 million).

The objective of project is to help workers returning from foreign employment reestablish themselves in society and actively participate in social, cultural, economic, and political life. The project aims at strengthening their capacity to define their plan of reintegration and utilization of knowledge, skills, capital, and experiences achieved through employment abroad, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The project will be implemented at 20 local levels in two provinces, Province 1 and Madhesh Province for four years starting from July 2022. The amount of assistance will be recorded in the GON Red Book and implemented at the local level.

Joint Secretary Ishwori Prasad Aryal, Head of International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD), Ministry of Finance, and Silvana Hogg, Chargée d'affaires ad interim, the Embassy of Switzerland, signed and exchanged the agreement at the Ministry today on behalf of their respective governments.

Delivering a short remark following the signing ceremony, joint secretary Aryal outlined that the implementation of this project is crucial for reestablishing the returnee's migrants into the society and defining their plan of reintegration into social, political, and economic life. "It also helps to utilize the knowledge, capital, know-how, and experience achieved through foreign employment in Nepal's socio-economic development." He also overviewed the development cooperation account concluded through Swiss assistance in Nepal.

Similarly, Hogg noted that there is a huge potential to link migration with development. "Switzerland has gathered rich experiences in the field of migration in Nepal through its decade-long engagement in this sector. Switzerland is committed to supporting Nepal in implementing its policies and plans to benefit migrant workers."

The ReMi project will work with different spheres of government, private actors, networks, and migrant workers to increase the social and economic benefit for returnee migrant workers.

The government has expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of Switzerland for its invariable support in socio-economic development and advancement of human resources in Nepal, the Ministry said in a press note.

The Embassy of Nepal in India (EoNI) and India-Nepal Centre (INC), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on Tuesday organized India-Nepal Partnership Summit 2022 to celebrate India’s 75th year of independence and further deepening India-Nepal bilateral ties.

 “Civilizational links and geographical links are the key elements which can help to energize and reinvent the bilateral relations between India and Nepal,” said K V Rajan, Chairman of India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI and India’s Former Ambassador to Nepal in his opening remarks, read a statement issued by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Tourism is the mainstay of the Nepal economy and religious tourism is one of the key contributors to the Nepalis tourism industry. The relationship between two countries is very strong but this is the time when we have to think on accommodating the aspirations with changing times and further strengthen it. Our relationship should be nurtured,” said the chief guest and keynote speaker Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma, Nepal’s Ambassador to India. Dr Sharma said that trade deficit between two countries remains a matter of concern, energy and agriculture sectors.

“In April 2022, Nepal's PM Sher Bahadur Deuba visited India which generated various opportunities for both the countries and built mutual interests including for infrastructure development and economic partnership, trade, health and power. For post-pandemic economic rebounding in both countries, a positive environment that is created with the Prime Minister's visits from both sides in recent times will be utmost crucial,” said Ram Prasad Subedi, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Nepal in India. 

 “Nepal has already begun exporting 177 MW of energy to India via the power exchange market. The tourism sector of India plays a significant role in the economic multiplier and becomes critical since India has to grow at rapid rates and create employment opportunities for its fellow citizens,” he added.

“The objective of today’s conference is to foster relationships and deepen the links, boosting the growth and prosperity of both sides. India is Nepal's largest trade partner and the largest source of FDI, besides majorly providing transit for third-country trade of Nepal. There are three key areas where both nations are working right now are Trade Facilitation, Deepening Energy Cooperation and Cross Border Connectivity,” said Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 

He added, “Nepal becomes the 4th Country to use the RUPAY card after UAE, Bhutan and Singapore and the ways are being explored to further support financial connectivity. Also, it is vital to note the progress with the projects like railways (Jayanagar-Bardibas), Terai roads, Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), post-earthquake reconstructions.”

“India has been putting best efforts for fostering bilateral ties with Nepal and with a view that we have aligned objectives. We should prioritise three areas of cooperation: Energy Trade; Bio-agri and connectivity. Also we have to cooperate on climate change front,” said Jayant Prasad, India’s Former Ambassador to Nepal.

“Nepal is facing the challenges with financial liquidity and balance of payment, SBI (through NSBL) is doing its best to support the industry to overcome them. On the other hand, it is also true that SBI's most profitable business outside India is in Nepal and that broadly reflects on the bright possibilities Nepal’s market offers,” Anukool Bhatnagar, Chief General Manager and Head-Nepal Desk, SBI. 

 “SBI is deeply committed to backward-forward linkages, smooth financial transactions, banking safety, financial inclusion and sustainable development goals. With the Arun-III power project and many others, SBI has been contributing to Nepal’s development and India-Nepal relations at large,” he added.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa urged Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to take initiatives to manage the waste of Kathmandu.

Speaking at the zero house of Parliament on Wednesday, he urged the Prime Minister to take the initiatives saying that it was the duty of all to help in the works being carried out by the Kathmandu metropolis and Ministry of Urban Development to manage the waste.

He urged all the people to actively support the campaign to make Kathmandu free of waste.

Leader Thapa also urged the Kathmandu denizens to segregate the garbage from their homes.

Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Ambassador Masud bin Momen urged SAARC Secretary General Esala Weerakoon to revitalize SAARC by holding consultations with the member states.

During a meeting held at the State Guest House Padma on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary appreciated the Secretary General's active role in coordinating, facilitating, managing SAARC matters especially during the difficult time of COVID 19 pandemic, read a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh.

The Secretary General apprised the Foreign Secretary about various aspects of current status of SAARC Cooperation and challenges the organization has been facing and sought Bangladesh's support in activating various stalled activities and programmes of SAARC to resolve the stalemate.

On the occasion, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary General exchanged views on how best SAARC process could be revitalized and put to its regular path to exploit the full potentials and benefits of the institutional mechanism and the synergy the organization created over the last 37 years of its existence, the statement read.

The duo discussed different aspects of current activities of SAARC. 

The Foreign Secretary assured the Secretary General of Bangladesh's commitment to SAARC and to extend every possible support to materialize the goals of SAARC to achieve a sustainable and integrated development in the region through cooperation under the SAARC system. The Foreign Secretary urged the Secretary General to play an objective role in transforming SAARC into a meaningful regional organization. The Foreign Secretary advised the Secretary General to explore all possible ways and means to find solutions to the existing difficulties in an innovative way through continuous consultation of member states.