The visiting South Asia vice president of the World Bank Philippe Le Houérou, concluded his four-day official tour to Nepal today.
During his visit Le Houérou met with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and discussed the government’s development priorities and potential collaboration, according to a press release issued by World Bank Nepal mission.
He also met with the finance minister and government senior officials, including the governor of the central bank, the vice chair of National Planning Commission, chief secretary and finance secretary to discuss the area of mutual benefit.
During the meetings, Le Houérou welcomed the government’s renewed focus on economic reforms. He also reaffirmed the bank’s willingness to help Nepal scale up development efforts and improve service delivery.
He noted that the World Bank Group is currently developing a partnership strategy for Nepal for the first time in six years.
“I believe we are at the beginning of a very productive period in Nepal,” Le Houérou told the Prime Minister Koirala.
“My conversations have been very energizing and I am reassured that our new strategy is fully aligned with the priorities of the new government which is mandated to implement economic reforms and to deliver to its citizens,” he added.
Le Houérou also visited several projects funded by the World Bank and held discussions with project beneficiaries.
He visited Rural Water Supply and Sanitation scheme in Bhaktapur and a hydropower turbine testing lab at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel.
He also met with other development partners and representatives of civil society, academia and the private sector during his four-day visit.