KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Finance held a meeting with the heads of local donor agencies.

During the meeting, ambassadors of various countries based in Nepal, heads and representatives of UN agencies, mission representatives, and leaders of multilateral and bilateral development partners engaged in discussions and interactions on the recent political changes in Nepal and the economic direction and priorities adopted by the new government.

Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal thanked development partners for their significant contributions to Nepal’s economic and social development and highlighted the immediate priorities of the current government.

He emphasized that the interim government formed after recent changes in Nepal is committed, in line with the aspirations of the youth, to establishing transparency, accountability, a corruption-free society, and the rule of law.

Acknowledging the substantial economic losses in both public and private sectors due to the protests, Minister Khanal stated that reconstruction will proceed through prudent spending cuts and efficient resource use, while economic reform programs will be accelerated.

Representatives from the United Nations, including the UN Resident Coordinator and UNHCR, along with ambassadors from Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Finland, and Australia, as well as representatives from India, Norway, the European Union, and the World Food Programme, shared their perspectives.

They noted their awareness of Nepal’s current situation and expressed agreement with the policies and programs undertaken by the current government.

Development partners reaffirmed their readiness to continue supporting ongoing projects and expressed willingness to collaborate with the Government of Nepal for the implementation of new programs.