Nepal Elected vice-chair of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has returned home after participating in the annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Doha, Qatar, where Nepal was elected as Vice-Chair of the bank for the first time.
Nepal has been elected as Vice-Chair for 2026-27 from among regional member countries during the event, with Dr Wagle taking up the Vice-Chair post in his capacity as an AIIB Governor. The Finance Minister’s Secretariat noted that Nepal’s election to the leadership role for the first time is expected to open up further opportunities for key infrastructure development in the country through increased bank investment, technology transfer, and collaboration.
According to the Secretariat, the meeting in Doha proved productive in expanding bank investments for Nepal’s infrastructure development, facilitating technology transfer, and creating an environment for broader cooperation among member countries.
Speaking at the ‘Governors Business Round Table’ event, Dr Wagle stated that investment should be increased in productive sectors, including roads, electricity, communication, and information technology, alongside arrangements for necessary capital. He suggested that bank investments should be made as favourable as possible to meet the requirements of countries like Nepal, attract domestic and foreign private capital, and focus on productive investments tailored to national needs.
Dr Wagle also held discussions with the AIIB chair and finance ministers from member countries Qatar, India, Bangladesh, Armenia, and Georgia. The discussion covered bilateral interests, economic cooperation, investment expansion, and support for Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction.
Dr Wagle, who departed for Doha on September 26, attended the 2026 AIIB Annual Meeting held on September 28–29 under the theme ‘Tomorrow’s Infrastructure: Impact and Innovation’. The gathering marked the bank’s transition into its second decade and focused on scaling up investment in sustainable infrastructure across member nations.
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