Thursday, September 14, 2023

IBN makes remarkable achievements with limited resources

Kathmandu, Sept. 8

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the government is committed to policy improvement in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and to effective handholding of the projects that are in the various stages of development, particularly in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

"I have directed all government instrumentalities to provide prompt responses to the developers. We must show our continued commitment to action," he said while addressing a programme organised by the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) to mark its 12th anniversary on Friday.

"If there are any grievances of the developers, I have asked the chief executive officer of the IBN to report to me and provide information. I will intervene," added the PM.

According to him, the government is seriously thinking of the IBN as a fast-track agency with the required skill set and human resources, and it wants the IBN to be strengthened in terms of resources, capacities, and service delivery to valued investors.

Appreciating the role of the development partners and multilateral banks, PM Prachanda urged them to work with the IBN to develop the PPP sector in Nepal for increased private sector participation in nation-building.

After listening to the testimonials of the developers of the large infrastructure projects in Nepal, PM Prachanda expressed his happiness over the performance of the Board and said that it has made some remarkable achievements despite limited human and technical resources.

"The establishment of such a high-powered agency 12 years back in 2011 is a testament to Nepal’s commitment to efficient facilitation of large-scale investments. It is an earnest effort laid by the government to attract foreign and domestic private investments in infrastructure projects," stated PM Prachanda.

While the country is drafting the 16th periodic plan, the government of Nepal firmly believes that resource mobilisation from the private sector-- domestic and foreign-- is crucial for national development, he maintained. PM Prachanda also said that the country wanted to develop some transformative projects through new forms of PPP.

 

A new investment summit

Finance Minister and Vice-chairperson of the IBN, Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, said that the IBN was set to organise a new edition of investment summit in this Fiscal Year 2023/24.

Stating that the recent agreement with India to export 10,000 Megawatt of electricity has boosted the confidence of investors in Nepal, he said that he was hopeful for the same kind of cooperation with China in future.

FM Dr. Mahat said that Nepal should attract FDI in Information Technology and tourism.

 

IBN approves Rs. 1.25 trillion investment

In the past 12 years, the IBN has approved investment of Rs. 1.25 trillion in 42 projects – 28 from the energy sector and 14 other sectors.

Sushil Bhatta, CEO of the IBN, said that the IBN has been effectively handholding around 4,000 MW of clean energy projects that are already aligned with a result-based framework for timely implementation.

Among the projects to be implemented is 669 MW Lower Arun, 750 MW West Seti, 450 MW SR-6, and 327 MW Upper Marsyangdi-2 Hydropower projects.

Likewise, following PDA signing of Lower Arun HEP, preparations have been arranged for its construction. The IBN has acknowledged the Detailed Feasibility Study Report (DFSR) for the development of 250 MW solar energy project, and granted a study permit to another project for preparing DFSR of 245 MW solar energy project in Dang district.

Other projects facilitated by the IBN are Hongshi Shivam (6000 tons per day capacity) and Huaxin Cement Narayani (3,000 TPD capacity), and Arun III with 900 MW installed capacity is in advanced stage of construction with substantial progress in generation and transmission side. Additionally, the 900 MW Upper Karnali hydroelectric project has reached the financial closure stage, informed CEO Bhatta.

However, to make the IBN secretariat more efficient, it should be further strengthened with more human and other resources, he said.

Radhesh Pant, Founding CEO of the IBN, said that the Board was established to promote Nepal as an investment destination, establish it as a PPP centre of excellence and provide one-door service to the investors.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 September 2023. 

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