Chinese Deputy Minister for Commerce Zhang arrives

KATHMANDU: Deputy Minister of Commerce of China, Zhang Xiangchen has arrived here today on a five-day visit leading an 11-member high delegation.

The delegation is here to hold bilateral meeting as per the commitment made by China to lend maximum support in reconstruction and new construction after the quake as well as economic development of the country.

According to the Finance Ministry, the bilateral discussion regarding different issues of mutual welfare and interest like reconstruction and economic development would be held on Thursday and agreement would be signed in this regard.

High-officials from the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Commerce and Supplies and Education would participate in the meeting. The Chinese delegation is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat during the visit.

The delegation would also carry out onsite visit of the quake-hit Barhabise road section and under-construction Ring Road expansion project.

According to the Ministry, the delegation would also visit different quake-hit historic and archeological site like Bouddha Stupa.

China had announced to provide Rs 77.70 billion grant at the International Conference held here last month for Nepal's reconstruction. The support was for three months. The visit of Deputy Minister of Commerce has been seen with high-priority as the 60th anniversary of establishment of Nepal-China diplomatic relation is celebrating this year.