Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday signed two concessional loan agreements worth a total of $165 million to support water supply infrastructure and logistics sector reforms.
The agreements were signed during a ceremony at the Ministry of Finance in the presence of Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle and visiting ADB President Masato Kanda.
Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay signed the agreements on behalf of the government, while ADB’s Country Director for Nepal, Arnaud Cauchois, signed on behalf of the Manila-based multilateral lender.
Of the total amount, $115 million will be mobilized under the Integrated Water Supply and Sewerage Management Project. According to the finance ministry, the funding will be used to develop integrated drinking water and sewerage infrastructure at the local level.
Similarly, $50 million will be provided under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) and Logistics Reforms Program—Subprogram 2. The amount will be extended as budgetary support to back reforms aimed at modernizing customs procedures and logistics services.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Wagle appreciated ADB’s continued support to Nepal’s development and expressed confidence that the partnership would grow stronger in the coming years.
Similarly, ADB President Kanda reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to further strengthening its six-decade-long partnership with Nepal. He said the bank would continue to support Nepal in addressing both external and internal challenges.
