Kathmandu, November 7:

Graeme Wheeler, managing director of the World Bank (WB) met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today.

Wheeler is in Kathmandu to take part in the South Asia Regional Management Team meetings.

In the meeting, he assured Prime Minister that the bank, a long-time development partner, stands with the people of Nepal as they embark on an ambitious mission of peace building and state restructuring. “It is gearing to deliver its largest ever grant programme to Nepal this year and has designated December 6 as Nepal Day at the World Bank Board of Executive Directors to discuss the country situation,” he said.

The Premier welcomed the bank’s interest in supporting peace process and requested it to work with the ministry of peace and reconstruction. He also requested the bank to assist in the area of water resource management. “Nepal is open to equitable sharing of water resources for multiple regional benefits and is eager to work with the bank and Nepal’s neighbours.”

Praful Patel, vice-president of World Bank for South Asia, and Susan Goldmark, country director for Nepal were also present at the meeting.