Govt mobilizing alternative financing for sustainable growth: Paudel

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel has said the government has introduced the concept of alternative development financing to mobilize financial resources for the country’s development.

Speaking at a discussion on the Alternative Development Finance Mobilization Bill, 2025, with experts at the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on Friday, Paudel said the new financing model would help tap fresh funding resources at a time when revenue barely covers regular expenses of the government. “Alternative financing mechanisms help build large-scale projects in the Himalayan and hilly regions, helping retain population, which is migrating to lower areas, there,” Paudel said.

He emphasized the need to identify and prioritize projects, mobilize domestic resources, attract domestic and foreign investment, and use various financial instruments appropriately, particularly for high-return, sustainable infrastructure.

Similarly, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Dr Biswo Nath Poudel recommended appointing experienced individuals to the fund’s leadership positions. He added that alternative development financing would help advance nationally important projects that could benefit the country in the long term.

According to the committee, clause-by-clause discussions on the Bill will begin on Monday. Lawmakers have registered 66 amendments to the Bill.

The government introduced the legislation realizing the need to mobilize alternative financing, in addition to traditional investment, to implement essential infrastructure projects for prosperity, sustainable development and to increase productivity.