Kathmandu, March 22

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has announced total disbursements of approximately $130 million through 2021.

The cooperation emphasises on inclusive federal state building, promotion of employment and income, and contribution to safety of Nepali migrant workers.

Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, and Disaster Risk Reduction are included in Swiss programme portfolio in a cross-cutting manner and focuses its interventions mainly at the state and local levels, fostering in particular the socio-economic development of women and members of disadvantaged population groups, and building sustainable and inclusive institutions.

Swiss development cooperation will promote inclusive growth through the use of innovation and Swiss know-how, as well as new financing models and increased cooperation with the private sector. The promotion of peace, stability and human rights will remain an important pillar of Swiss engagement in Nepal, said SDC Director General Ambassador Sager at a press conference upon conclusion of his five-day Nepal visit today.

Switzerland will continue to support Nepal’s ongoing federal state building process as a competent and innovative partner. It will remain engaged in building the systems, institutions and capacities at sub-national levels. At the same time, SDC will fully support initiative taken on vocational education by Prime Minister KP Oli and the Government of Nepal.

To mark 60 years of the Swiss Development Cooperation in Nepal, Ambassador Sager visited Nepal together with SDC Head of South Asia Division Derek Müller.

During his visit, Ambassador Sager held high-level meetings with the Nepalese authorities, including Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada and Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi. He also met representatives of international development partners. In addition, Ambassador Sager visited Swiss funded projects in and around Ramechhap district.