The Chief Minister of Karnali Province Mahendra Bahadur Shahi has said the investment of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) should be in the province government’s priority sector.
Chief Minister Shahi was speaking in the discussion and consultation program with the provincial government regarding the ADB’s proposed Partnership Strategy for Nepal (2020-2024) in Birendranagar, Surkhet on Monday.
He said unlike in the past the ADB’s investment should now be in the government’s priority areas.
“There is a need for an investment in large projects on road, electricity, industry, tourism and agriculture sector in Karnali Province. The ADB’s next strategy should be focused towards these sectors,” the Chief Minister asserted.
He also urged the ADB to invest in the infrastructure development sector in a noticeable manner. “Invest in upgrading the Kohalpur-Surkhet road into a six-lane road if it is immediately possible,” he said.
Stating that although ADB has invested large amount in Nepal its results were not to be seen, Chief Minister Shahi argued that Karnali’s prosperity would not be possible through the investment in minor projects based on the insistence of some leaders or on political access.
“A fast track is inevitable for the development of the Karnali province,” he added. Chief Minister Shahi also urged the donor community to invest in result-oriented projects and the provincial government was committed to ensuring transparency and the proper utilization of the donors’ investment.
ADB’s country director for Nepal, Mukhtor Khamudkhanov was also present in the program. ADB’s chief economist Sharad Bhandari explained about the proposed National Partnership Strategy for Nepal.
Speaker of the Karnali Province Assembly, Raj Bahadur Shahi, province government spokesperson and Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives Bimala KC, province assembly members, the province government secretaries, the chiefs and deputy chiefs of various local levels also participated in the consultative program.
