World Bank MD urges to prioritise development agendas

Visiting Managing Director of the World Bank Graeme Wheeler has urged the government and the political parties to focus on development agendas in addition to the political agenda.

Speaking at a press meet at the end of his three day visit to Nepal on Friday, Wheeler said, continuation of reforms with due investments for social sector development is one of the powerful ways for Nepal to achieve sustainable development.

He further stressed the need of rapid investment in infrastructure development, power generation and distribution and speed up economic and labour reforms.

He further said that WB is behind the government towards building a new Nepal and added that the government should set clear goals for the development and investment.

He further said that it would be easier for the development partners to provide assistance if the government forms clear goals for development.

Wheeler met with Finance Minister, Vice-Chairman and Members of the National Planning Commission, leaders of political parties and civil society leaders apart from visiting WB funded projects during his three day visit to Nepal.

Wheeler, who also met Maoist leaders, said that Maoists leadership asked the WB to expand health and education services in the rural areas and also to invest in the infrastructure development. "The Maoists leadership also expressed their willingness to work with development partners like the WB," he added.

Speaking at the same programme Praful Patel, vice president of the WB for South Asia stressed the need to promote private sector investment for infrastructure development. nepalnews.com pb Feb 17 07