Submit your Article

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADBL), signed an agreement to implement the component “Increased Access to Financial Support for Korea Returnee Migrants.”

This component falls under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Nepal on September 23, 2022 for the project “Strengthening Stage-Wise Support System for the Stable Reintegration of Korea Returnee Migrants in Nepal.”

The Agreement was signed by Mooheon Kong, CD of KOICA and Govinda Gurung, CEO of the ADBL, where Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary of FACD, Ministry of Finance and Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Labor Employment and Social Security MoLESS signed the agreement as the witness.

The main objective of this program is to create a stable environment for entrepreneurship by improving financial access for Korea returnee migrants in Nepal. For this eligible Korea returnee will get subsidized loan from the ADBL. The loan will be subsidized for 5 years, reads a statement issued by KOICA. 

KOICA will provide USD 2.5 million (approximately NPR 320,000,000) for the Program. KOICA’s contribution will be used solely for interest subsidies. ADBL will contribute approximately NPR 1.2 billion (1,200,000,000) as loan capital for the Program.

It is estimated that the Program is expected to support approximately 200 to 250 Korea returnees with an average loan size of Rs 5 million.  The program will run from 2026 to 2028. The interest subsidy will be provided for the period of 5 years.

Through this program Korea returnees will have full opportunity to employ their skills and establish successful enterprises that support the local economy. In addition to this, local employment will be created.

In the event KOICA CD stated that it is a shared commitment to empowering Nepali returnee migrants who have contributed their skills, labor and aspirations while working in Korea. As they return home, it is our collective responsibility to create an enabling environment where they can reintegrate with dignity, security and opportunities for long-term economic stability, according to KOICA. 

In the event, Joint Secretary Sapkota stated that Nepal and the Republic of Korea share a longstanding relationship grounded in cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared vision for human-centered development. Our collaboration in the employment and migration sector especially through the Employment Permit System (EPS) has benefitted thousands of Nepali workers. As these workers return home with experience, skills, and aspirations for a better future, it becomes essential that we, as institutions, support their smooth and productive reintegration.

Similarly, Joint Secretary Sharma stated that KOICA has always been a meaningful partner. Its cooperation has been meaningful and very much effective.

ADBL CEO stated that the program is new and very much useful for returnee migrants who wish to start their own venture. He further stated that the ADBL will execute this program successfully and look forward to such innovative programs in the future.

Kathmandu University, School of Science and Sathsathai Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to work together in the multiple areas including climate change.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Bed Mani Dahal, Dean of the School of Science, stated that collaborating with Sathsathai Foundation is highly important for linking environmental aspects with socio-economic perspectives, which also aligns with the foundation’s vision. He elaborated on the major areas of cooperation, including joint research design and implementation.

Assistant Professor Smriti Gurung of the School of Science shared that both parties can jointly raise issues of climate justice through practical and actionable solutions.

Dr Siddhartha Bajra Bajracharya, Vice President of Sathsathai Foundation, highlighted the organization’s work in promoting sustainable tourism and empowering local communities, and shed light on the initiatives the foundation has undertaken so far.

Sathsathai Foundation’s President, Prajita Karki, mentioned that they have been raising local climate-justice issues in international forums. Since its establishment, Sathsathai Foundation has been contributing to research, studies, and policymaking on various climate- and environment-related issues, while bringing Nepal’s agendas to the international arena.

Earlier, the university and the foundation had already been collaborating—particularly on COP-28 and implementation of Coal Exit Program which was launched on World Environment Day. 

Kidzee preschools across Nepal held a nationwide Walkathon on Nov 22, promoting the theme “Walk for Play, Not Screens.” Preschoolers, parents, and teachers participated across Kathmandu and major cities including Chitwan, Biratnagar, Janakpur, and Birgunj, celebrating active childhood and family togetherness.

Just two days earlier, Kidzee Nepal announced former national cricket captain and CAN Secretary Paras Khadka as its new Brand Ambassador. He highlighted the value of real-world experiences over screen time.

Parents praised the initiative for encouraging children to be active and learn beyond classrooms. Filled with joy and community spirit, the Walkathon served as a reminder of the importance of outdoor play and meaningful family moments.

Perched above the terrifying Chiuri cliff, even a single glance downward is enough to send a chill through the heart. For generations, the locals here braved this fear and endured countless hardships just to cross the roaring Andhikhola below. What was once a dangerous, exhausting journey has now transformed into a source of pride and wonder.

A plan was made to build a suspension bridge here for an easy life. The construction work was also completed. Now the same bridge has succeeded in staying in everyone’s hearts and minds. The Chiuri suspension bridge, built over the Andhikhola to connect Galyang Municipality-7 and 8, i.e. Chiuri Bhir and Pelakot, has now become a tourist destination. The highest and longest suspension bridge in the district is visited by a crowd of domestic and foreign tourists every day. The suspension bridge, which is located at a height of 190 meters, is 368 meters long.

Families, friends, groups and couples alike flock to observe and enjoy the view of the bridge. There is also a crowd to cross the bridge, take photos, videos and make TikToks on the bridge. People from children, youth to the elderly enjoy themselves happily. What was once a place for swimming has now become a place of enjoyment.

The green nature surrounding the bridge, located next to the Siddhartha Highway, attracts anyone. The nearby settlements, agricultural land, the serpentine-shaped Andhikhola, and the Kedarnath temple in Pelakot have won everyone’s hearts. “The discussion of Chiuri Bridge has been seen a lot on social media, and it has been seen. This route has been traveled many times. However, until now, it has not been convenient to come here. Rather than seeing and hearing, there is a different joy in coming here and crossing the bridge and observing it,” says folk singer and creator Purushottam Neupane, who has been crossing the bridge.

Before the bridge was built, it was very difficult to cross. There was an obligation to go around. With the construction of the bridge, the livelihood of the local residents has also become easier. On the other hand, it is becoming known as a tourist destination. The number of domestic and Indian tourists is also increasing here. It is located 40 kilometers from the Syangja district headquarters. According to local Geeta Pathak, about 2-300 tourists visit the bridge daily.

It is also easy to come here because it is located next to the highway. Pathak said that the number of people visiting this place has increased since there are hotels and restaurants for lunch under the bridge. The crowd of people does not have to be exhausted on Fridays and Saturdays. Working fathers and mothers come with their children to enjoy and enjoy the natural beauty. A significant number of Indian citizens have also started coming.

Indian citizens who come from India to visit Pokhara and Muktinath after seeing the bridge, stop their vehicles and go to the bridge for entertainment and go to their destination. In this way, the number of visitors has also increased dramatically. As the number of tourists visiting the suspension bridge has increased, a parking lot has been built next to the highway and a footpath with railings has been constructed to reach the bridge, said Galyang Nagar Guruprasad Bhattarai.

The bridge has also made it much easier to reach the Kedarnath Temple in Pelakot, Galyang-7. Earlier, it used to take two hours to reach the temple, but now it can be reached in half an hour, said Tikaram Pathak, Secretary of the Kedarnath Temple Religious and Tourism Development Committee. The bridge, which was completed about 4 years ago in July 2021, was built at a cost of Rs 18.3m.