KATHMANDU:- Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said that promoting good governance, achieving rapid economic growth, creating job opportunities, and ensuring citizens’ access to quality public services are among the top priorities of the government.
He said this during his meeting today with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda.
On occasion, the Prime Minister apprised the ADB President of the government’s plans to increase the effectiveness of public investment, accelerate economic growth in partnership with the private sector, accelerate energy development, modernise infrastructure, and advance digital transformation. He expressed his view that a stable policy environment and strong institutions are essential pillars for achieving sustainable and inclusive development.
According to the Prime Minister’s Press and Research Expert, Dipa Dahal, the meeting focused on further strengthening the Nepal-ADB partnership.
Likewise, the two stressed the need to establish a partnership in clean energy production in Nepal under the ADB’s energy strategy, acknowledging Nepal’s vast potential for hydropower development.
The Dudhkoshi Reservoir Hydropower Project, which is being developed with ADB’s assistance, is one of the government’s priority projects, said the Prime Minister, adding that the project is highly significant for long-term energy security. He also stressed the need to initiate a financial management process to this end as soon as possible.
The discussions were also held on further bilateral cooperation under ADB’s ‘Country Partnership Strategy’, particularly in the areas of energy, connectivity, urban development, and digital infrastructure.
Prime Minister Shah, on behalf of the government and people of Nepal, expressed gratitude to the ADB for its continuous contributions to Nepal’s development journey over the decades and expressed hope for continued cooperation in the years ahead.
The ADB, one of Nepal’s key development partners, has an active net portfolio of around US Dollar 4.2 billion in Nepal, with 31 ADB-funded projects in operation. Under its ‘Policy- Based Lending’, the ADB has allocated US Dollar 150 million in support for Nepal in 2026.
The meeting also focused on cooperation in priority sectors, including drinking water, sanitation, urban infrastructure development, youth employment promotion, disaster risk management, and digital governance. In response, the ADB President reaffirmed his commitment to continue ADB’s support for Nepal.
Expressing satisfaction over the development of Nepal’s digital economy as a new instrument for economic growth and employment, he also pledged continued ADB support for strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure and digital public infrastructure.