Nepal and China Sign Four MoUs for Different Projects

Kathmandu: Nepal and China signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for different projects on July 21.

The projects include: the construction of a bone marrow transplantation center at B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, Chitwan; a feasibility study for the expansion of the Civil Servants Hospital in Kathmandu; cooperation on human resource development to benefit more than 1,200 government employees; and a feasibility study for the construction of the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung cross-border electricity transmission line.

The MoUs were signed during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel and a delegation led by China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) President Chen Xiaodong.

According to the Ministry, the MoUs include agreements for the bone marrow transplantation project in Bharatpur and the feasibility study for expanding the Civil Servants Hospital. These MoUs were signed by Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay on behalf of Nepal, and the Chairman of CIDCA on behalf of China.

Similarly, a memorandum of understanding on human resource development was signed between the two countries. This initiative will provide opportunities for more than 1,200 government employees to participate in bilateral and multilateral seminars organized by various Chinese organizations.

On the same occasion, the minutes regarding the feasibility study for the construction of the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung cross-border electricity transmission line were signed by Nepal Electricity Authority Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya and the CIDCA Chairman.

Additionally, China is set to assist in the reconstruction of physical infrastructure damaged by floods in Rasuwa district some time ago. During his meeting with the Finance Minister, CIDCA Chairman Xiaodong informed that the necessary assistance will be provided for reconstruction and that efforts will be made to expedite customs procedures.

Finance Minister Poudel stated that post-disaster reconstruction is a top priority for Nepal and thanked the Chinese side for their readiness, interest, and commitment to supporting infrastructure reconstruction. “The Rasuwa border crossing is important not only for import-export but also in terms of revenue. Therefore, we will expedite the reconstruction,” said Finance Minister Poudel.