KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel met with Johannes Zutt, Vice President for South Asia Region at the World Bank, for a courtesy meeting.

According to the Finance Minister’s Secretariat, the meeting at the Ministry of Finance today focused on Nepal’s overall economy, urban and physical infrastructure, investment, tourism, and environmental issues.

Minister Paudel highlighted that, compared to last year, key economic indicators have shown significant improvement, reflecting reforms in policy, institutional structure, and implementation processes.

Paudel noted that the World Bank’s six-year Country Partnership Framework aligns with Nepal’s development needs and government priorities.

He emphasized the government’s intent to collaborate with the World Bank to design projects and programs under this framework.

The minister also briefed Zutt on the Alternative Development Finance Mobilization Bill, which has been passed by the House of Representatives and is under discussion in the National Assembly.

He said once enacted, the law will enable the government to partner with the private sector on revenue-generating projects and sought the World Bank’s support to advance initiatives in line with the bill’s objectives.

World Bank South Asia Vice President Zutt expressed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s high economic growth.

He highlighted areas such as urban infrastructure in Lumbini and the Kathmandu Valley, environmental pollution reduction, and private-sector engagement as priorities for collaboration.

Zutt also welcomed the improvement in Nepal’s economic indicators and emphasized the need to boost investment further.

He said the passage of the alternative development finance law could open new avenues for infrastructure investment and help attract private-sector participation, playing a key role in economic growth.

He further advised focusing on investment and productivity enhancement.