KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle met with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Jin Liqun’s successor, Zhou Jiayi, during the 11th annual meeting of the bank’s Board of Governors in Doha.
During the meeting, Minister Wagle requested the expansion of AIIB investments in Nepal, support for post-disaster reconstruction, and improved access to concessional financing.
President Zhou expressed condolences for the human and physical losses caused by the recent floods in the Bhote Koshi River. She committed to providing maximum support for resilient post-disaster reconstruction.
Zhou stated that the bank would provide grant assistance for project preparation through the Project Preparation Specialized Fund. She added that by utilizing the Specialized Fund Window, the bank could ensure that loans provided to Nepal remain at highly concessional interest rates. She reiterated the bank’s commitment to collaborating with Nepal, a founding member, on economic development.
Minister Wagle congratulated the newly elected president and expressed gratitude for the bank’s support. He urged the swift completion of the study works for the power distribution system improvement and expansion project and the express road project, both supported by the AIIB. He also expressed concern over the flood damage to the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project.
Furthermore, Wagle requested the mobilization of the bank’s own resources and those of other donors for the development of green energy, cross-border transmission lines, road infrastructure, and digital infrastructure. He concluded the meeting by extending an invitation to President Zhou to visit Nepal by 2026.
