Kathmandu, Oct. 31
Nepal has sought enhanced level of support from the United States in the areas of trade and investment, market access for Nepali goods, food security and information technology sector.
In a meeting with US Secretary of State, Antony J.
Blinken on Monday, Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud requested the United
States for reauthorisation and expansion of Nepal Trade Preference Programme
(NTPP) and General System of Preference (GSP) facilities by adding new
exportable items of interest for Nepal, informed the Embassy of Nepal in
Washington, DC in a statement.
Likewise, Spokesperson of the US Department of State, Matthew Miller, said
that the two ministers highlighted the recently launched US$ 500 million
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact that will build infrastructure,
increase access to electricity, and support cross-border power trade.
"The Secretary and Foreign Minister also praised over 60 years of
partnership on Peace Corps Volunteers’ service in Nepal. In addition, they
discussed expanded Development Finance Corporation investment in Nepal,
including a new $125 million loan to a Nepali bank to provide loans to small-
and medium-sized enterprises," read a statement from Miller.
Secretary Blinken also expressed the United States’ condolences for the
loss of Nepali students’ lives in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on
Israel, and concern for Bipin Joshi, who remains missing.
The
two ministers exchanged views on matters of common interest in bilateral
relations as well as regional and international issues of common concerns,
informed the Embassy of Nepal.
The
Foreign Minister also highlighted development priorities of Nepal in the
context of the country’s graduation from the least developed country to a
developing one. Nepal is seeking support of developed nations including the
USA, the European Union and others in making the transition from the LDC
smooth.
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction
over the current state of bilateral relations between Nepal and the USA while
renewing their commitment to expand and deepen engagements across the areas
of mutual interests.
They also stressed the importance of timely
implementation of the projects under the MCC.
Appreciating Nepal’s progress in consolidating democratic
governance, Secretary Blinken expressed that the US Government wishes to see
Nepal as a strong and prosperous democracy. Secretary Blinken assured
the Foreign Minister Saud that the US would continue its support to
Nepal’s development endeavours.
During the bilateral meeting, Minister Saud was
accompanied by Ambassador Sridhar Khatri and other senior officials from the
Ministry and the Embassy. Secretary Blinken was accompanied by US Ambassador to
Nepal Dean Thompson and senior officials from the Department of State.
Later in the evening, Ambassador Sridhar Khatri hosted a
reception at his residence in honour of the Foreign Minister in presence of
senior officials from various US agencies including the White House, Department
of State, USAID, and MCC, as well as members of diplomatic corps, and
representatives of Nepali American community.
Foreign Minister Saud had reached Washington DC for the bilateral visit on
Monday morning.
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