Kathmandu, June 5:

Minister of State for Water Resources Gyanendra Bahadur Karki today said the government welcomes proposals forwarded by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRN) to invest in the hydro-power sector here.

“The government welcomes your investment in the power sector. However, you will have to take licences for that purpose,” Karki said after the NRN team forwarded their demand in today’s meeting of the Parliamentary Natural Resources Committee. “Only those who hold licences can invest in the sector,” said Karki.

He also underscored the need to make an environment favourable for investment and said everyone should work for that.

The NRN representatives today submitted a proposal to the parliamentary committee expressing their interest in investing in hydro-power sector. “We are interested to invest in the 300 MW Upper Karnali, 400MW Arun-III and 600 MW Budhi Gandaki hydro-electricity projects,” the proposal submitted by NRN chairman Upendra Mahato said.

The NRN proposal has also requested the government to create an environment conducive for NRN investment.