November 25: Agreement with the Government of Switzerland

The Government of Switzerland has agreed to provide Swiss Francs 9.998 Million grant (About equivalent Rs 1.1 Billion) for the implementation of Trail Bridge Sub Sector Program, Phase IV and Swiss Francs 5.8 million grant (About equivalent to NRs. 580 Million) for the implementation of River Protection Works and Livelihood Improvement in Chitwan –Phase II to the Government of Nepal. Both Agreements to this effect were signed and exchanged between the two Governments in the Ministry of Finance, Kathmandu, today.

The objective of Trail Bridge Sub Sector Program, Phase IV is to contribute towards poverty reduction through improvement of access of the local people in rural areas to basic social public services, as well as to economic resources and opportunities, by availing them year round safer river crossing facility within 1 hour of detour. During the program period 2500 trail bridges will be constructed and 5000 trail bridges will be maintained annually. The program will cover across the country and implemented for the period offive years, i.e. from October 2014 to July 2019. 

Similarly the main objective of River Protection Work and Livelihood Improvement Project in Chitwan, phase II is to enhance their livelihoods and are more resilient to natural disasters, like floods for the People of Eastern Chitwan. With the implementation of this project about 187’000 people in the flood plains (downstream VDCs) area will be protected through constructing river protection infrastructures by local communities. The project covers the 16 VDCs and one Municipality in Chitwan and 1 VDC in Makwanpur district. It willbe implemented on four years i.e from September 2014 to August 2018.Both the program and project will be implemented by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development. 

Mr. Madhu Kumar Marasini, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mr.Jean-François Cuénod, Chargé d’ Affaires, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation of SDC Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal signed the agreement on behalf of their respective Governments.

The Government of Nepal has expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of Switzerland for this assistance and its continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.

Ministry of Finance

Singh durbar,

Kathmandu, Nepal

25^th November 2014

( 9^th Marg  2071)