KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 19

Patricia Danzi, Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, together with Head of South Asia Barbara Böni paid an official visit to Nepal to discuss cooperation between the two countries and acknowledge the longstanding bilateral relations between Switzerland and Nepal.

The Swiss high-level delegation met in Kathmandu with Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Khadka, Chief Minister of Province 1 Rajendra Kumar Rai, Mayor Kailash Kumar Ale and Deputy Mayor of Bhojpur Municipality Nirmala Sherpa, among other stakeholders. The main objective of the discussion was to foster mutual understanding and build the partnership between Switzerland and Nepal.

The delegation visited Province 1 to observe Swiss-supported projects such as Technical and Vocational Education Training, safer migration, trail and motorable bridges, market systems development, small irrigation as well as a COVID-19 response project. They held interactions on Switzerland's contribution to the provincial and local government on the implementation of the Constitution.

Patricia Danzi, Director General of the SDC said, 'When I look back at this trip, what will stay with me are a lot of impressions and how we translate strategies into action and what it means for the Nepali people. Swiss development cooperation has been present in Nepal for over 60 years. Switzerland has lent its support to Nepal in accordance with the needs of the latter. During my trip, I witnessed many changes – one being how the federal system of Nepal has become very active with the federal, provincial and local governments working together.

As Switzerland supports Nepal in the implementation of the constitution, we are a partner that becomes more and more catalytic in making this actually happen.'

With the implementation of the constitution, Switzerland is focused on supporting Nepal in the implementation of federalism and economic development. To support Nepal's continued progress in poverty reduction, Switzerland will support the three spheres of the government as per their constitutional mandate. Switzerland supports Small and Medium Enterprises in Nepal to expand markets for job opportunities.

A version of this article appears in the print on October 20, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.