"BRI important to Nepal" says Finance Minister Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada

Finance Minister Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada has said the Belt and Road Initiative project as the largest project of this century would transform the course of development in areas of its implementation including Nepal.

Inaugurating the third International conference on ‘China’s Belt and Road Initiative in South Asia and Nepal: Trade, Investment and Connectivity Dynamics’ organized by Nepal China Friendship Forum (NCFF) here Sunday, he said there is no need to be skeptic about the project as it is for a win-win situation for all, and there is no give and take here. “Nepal can gain access to the sea while economic relations will open up a new window with South and central Asia,” he said.

The Finance Minister also stressed on the importance of South-South cooperation and stated that the BRI could meet to some extent the gap of physical infrastructure development as well as much needed investment in the country.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said that the BRI was based on the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration. “While the BRI has made positive progress, there are also some noises intending to undermine our cooperation to such as the so called ‘Chinese debt trap’,” she said.

Intellectuals and diplomats from China, India, Bangladesh and hosts Nepal are taking part in the two-day conference.