Finance Minister Wagle meets AIIB president, seeks help for post-disaster reconstruction

Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has requested the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for support in post-disaster reconstruction.

Minister Wagle, who is in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to attend the bank's annual meeting, made the request during a bilateral meeting with AIIB President Zhou Jiayi.

He formally requested both financial and technical assistance for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the country.

At the meeting, President Zhou expressed sorrow over the recent natural disaster in Nepal and said the bank was ready to help Nepal in this difficult time. Minister Wagle also expressed gratitude for the continued support the bank has extended to Nepal's development.

After the meeting, he attended a reception hosted by President Zhou in honor of the heads of delegations from various countries.

AIIB's Board of Governors annual meeting is being held in Doha on September 28 and 29, under the theme "Tomorrow's Infrastructure: Impact and Innovation."

The Nepali delegation led by Minister Wagle arrived at Hamad International Airport on Sunday night, where Nepal's Charge d'Affaires Kumar Rai and other officials welcomed the team.

The delegation also includes joint secretaries Amrit Lamsal and Upendra Panday, along with Charge d'Affaires Rai. Lamsal heads the International Economic Relations Division at the Ministry of Finance.