US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs, Donald Lu, arrived in Kathmandu on Friday.

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean Thompson welcomed him at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

He left for the MCC office directly from the airport.

During this stay in Nepal, he is scheduled to meet Nepal government officials and ministers.

Lu arrived in Nepal on the eve of the implementation of the US-aided Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Preparations are underway to implement the MCC from mid-August 18 months after the endorsement by the Parliament.

As per the MCC agreement, the US agency will provide $500 million in grants and the government will spend $130 million on energy and transportation projects.

According to MCA Nepal, more than two billion rupees have already been spent on the MCC project so far.

During the Nepal visit, the US Assistant Secretary is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Foreign Minister NP Saud.