Doha, Sept 28: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has urged the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to increase investment in Nepal’s infrastructure and support reconstruction following natural disasters.
Wagle made the request during a meeting with AIIB President Zou Jiayi in Doha, Qatar, where he is attending the bank’s 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors.
During the meeting, Wagle called for increased AIIB investment in Nepal, support for post-disaster reconstruction and greater access to concessional financing.
Zou expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the Bhotekoshi flood and pledged the bank’s support for Nepal’s reconstruction efforts.
She said AIIB could provide grant assistance through a special fund for project preparation. Such grants could also help make loans to Nepal available at more concessional interest rates, she said.
Wagle urged the bank to expedite studies related to the electricity distribution system improvement and expansion project and the express road project being undertaken with AIIB support. He also expressed concern over damage caused by the flood to the AIIB-financed Upper Trishuli 1 Hydropower Project.
As part of medium- and long-term cooperation, Wagle sought greater investment in green energy, cross-border electricity transmission lines, roads and digital infrastructure.
He also requested AIIB to help mobilise resources from other development partners alongside its own financing.
During the meeting, Wagle invited AIIB President Zou to visit Nepal in 2026.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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