Nepal Infrastructure Summit will drive policy, legal reforms, says Finance Minister Wagle

KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle said the upcoming Nepal Infrastructure Summit is intended to break from past practices and support policy and legal reforms in the infrastructure and investment sectors.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Thursday, Wagle said efforts were underway to establish a distinct identity for the summit.

"We are for radical restructuring to drive policy and legal reforms within the infrastructure and investment sectors," he said.

Wagle said the government was pursuing reforms in areas including the economy, legal systems, resource management, peace and justice. He added that the government was seeking to provide a major boost to the country through infrastructure development and policy reforms.

At the same event, Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal said the government was preparing to introduce significant policy and legal reforms related to infrastructure and investment.

Addressing the press conference jointly organised by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal (FCAN), Lamsal said the government aimed to address complex legal obstacles before the summit.

He said the government would present the legal and policy reforms undertaken so far during the summit and urged donor agencies to invest in Nepal, citing what he said was an investment-friendly environment.

Minister Lamsal also said the government planned to end delays in project implementation and other irregularities alongside the proposed policy and legal reforms.

(With inputs from RSS)