Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has clarified that the government will not take loans under China’s Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI).
Speaking at a program in Dulikhel on Tuesday, Gurung said the government can, however, negotiate grant agreements. “There are two perspectives on implementing BRI. The government is not in a rush to finalize the BRI agreement,” Gurung said. “But since the MoU has been signed, it should be implemented.”
Gurung also said soliciting loans is not in government’s priority. “But we are open to accepting grants. If China offers a grant, we will consider it,” he added.
He also said it is natural for political parties to have different opinions about BRI. “Countries that understood and negotiated BRI projects are doing well. We can see these becoming ‘game changers’ in those nations,” he added.
