KATHMANDU: The World Bank has deputed a technical mission in a bid to expedite the Project for Agriculture Commercialisation and Trade (PACT) under the Ministry of Agricultural Development. PACT is the largest project for agricultural development in Nepal run by the government and is partly financed by the World Bank. Of the total budget of USD 81 billion, the World Bank covers the share of USD 60 million. The Project said the mission would discuss recent activities, after its new Director Govinda Prasad Sharma's appointment around a month ago in particular, with the PACT team. Task Team Leader Patrick Verissimo and Focal Person Karishma Wasti are members of the mission from the World Bank whereas Director Govinda Prasad Sharma and Technical Advisor Prabhakar Pathak among others would coordinate with the team from PACT. The Project said it had been working to enhance the capacity of small-scale farmers and agro entrepreneurs to compete in the market. It is working with various government departments including the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Livestock Services among others. Meanwhile, the Project said it was preparing to open a fruit and flower market in Chobhar of Kathmandu, livestock markets in Damak of Jhapa and Sakhuwa of Dhanusha, vegetable markets in Biratnagar of Morang and Butwal of Rupandehi.