PM calls Japan to help rebuild infrastructure

Kathmandu, July 16:

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Osamu Uno today.

During the meeting at the PM’s official residence in Baluwatar, Koirala urged increased development assistance from Japan and made special request for help in commissioning of West-Seti hydropower project, the Prime Minister’s foreign affairs adviser Aditya Baral said.

Koirala also requested Uno to help rebuild destroyed infrastructure.

Uno expressed concern about the security of Japanese tourists in Nepal, Baral said. PM Koirala said the government would take steps to facilitate security of tourists.

Baral said the Japanese Deputy FM and Finance Minister Dr Ram Saran Mahat are scheduled to sign an agreement to expand the 7.9 kilometre Koteswor-Bhaktapur road section.

The Japanese minister also met Maoist chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. During the meeting, Uno said Japan was willing to work with the upcoming Maoist-led government.

According to Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Uno responded positively to Dahal’s request for increased Japanese assistance to Nepal. Meanwhile, Indian ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood called on PM Koirala today.