Kathmandu, February 14

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today said the government had installed a strong foundation for development and prosperity in the past year.

In his address to the nation to mark one year in office, Oli said the end of political instability and establishment of stability had created a strong foundation for executing development projects that would have short-term, as well as long-term benefits.

Stating that Nepalis had got used to seeing governments changing every nine months, he urged all to change their habit as the government was not going to change and stability would continue.

“The government is working honestly. This year we installed a foundation. The coming years will be years of achievements. When we go to the next election after completing five years in office, we will be able to tell you that we have fulfilled commitments made in our manifesto in the last election. Then, we’ll have a different dream.”

According to the prime minister, with the implementation of federalism with participatory governance system, power has been delegated to local levels. Inter-Provincial Finance Council has been helping to address any problem related to financial federalism. Majority of work related to civil service adjustment, which was considered a complex job, has been completed.

He mentioned about 16 laws related to fundamental rights were enacted, and said the federal Parliament passed 25 laws in the past year. On the economic front, Oli said investment environment had improved and 13 laws, rules and guidelines were being developed or revised to create conducive environment for investment. “The government is inviting not only domestic investors, but also international investors. Nepal’s participation in the World Economic Forum this year was part of this,” he said.

Mentioning about progress in the areas of road and bridge construction and upgradation of airports, Oli said the inauguration of the office of the inland waterways project this morning was not for fun.

On the diplomatic front, Oli said Nepal was able to maintain harmonious foreign relations based on its slogan of ‘amity with all, enmity with none’. “Trust and attraction towards Nepal have increased in the international arena,” he said.

Mentioning some of the high-level visits to and from Nepal in the past year, Oli said the visits helped Nepal make its views clear to the world. As far as the economy is concerned, Oli said economic growth reached 6.5 per cent in the first six months of the fiscal, and by the end of the fiscal it would reach more than 7 per cent.

Oli also mentioned the contribution-based social security scheme and Prime Minister Employment Scheme launched by the government, and added the government was able to accelerate post-quake reconstruction.

Reiterating that he would adopt zero tolerance against corruption, Oli said the government was able to strengthen rule of law through effective mobilisation of security forces.

In the event that also saw participation from representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu, Oli reiterated that democracy in Nepal was not only limited to political rights and the right to express, but also to social justice, equality, security and honour.