KATHMANDU: The government will seek more grant assistance than loans for the reconstruction operations in wake of the devastating April 25 earthquake, said Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat.

He, however, added that the nation also needs some long-term loads at a lower interest rate.

Addressing a meeting with former finance ministers, former vice-chairpersons of the National Planning Commission, former chief secretaries and former finance secretaries at the Ministry today, Mahat said the government has expected that international donors announce their support at the International Donors' Conference scheduled for June 25.

He reiterated that the reconstruction campaign is not possible without support from the international community.

The Minister informed that Nepal has stressed on participation of higher-level representatives at the conference. "Many nations and organisations have assured us for the same," Mahat claimed, "We have prepared well for success of the conference."

The Ministry had invited former ministers, former NPC vice-chairs and former secretaries to collect suggestions for the event.

Ex-ministers Surendra Pande, Barshaman Pun and Shankar Koirala; former NPC vice-chairs Jagadish Pokhrel, Yuvaraj Khatiwada, Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri and Rabindra Kumar Shakya; former chief secretaries Bimal Prasad Koirala and Bhoj Raj Ghimire among others had floated their suggestions at the meeting.