June 6: The Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN) has welcomed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's India visit stating that the visit was historic and focused on long-lasting national interest.    
Organizing a press conference on Monday, the IPPAN termed the PM’s visit successful for the long-term energy development with lasting importance. Exporting 10,000 megawatt of power in 10 years to India is a welcome step, said IPPAN.    
Chairperson of IPPAN Krishna Prasad Acharya said, "PM Dahal’s Indian counterpart Narendra Modi has also raised this issue with equal importance during a joint press conference during the PM's India visit."    
The IPPAN has also expressed its pleasure for the government’s announcement to take the private sector on board for energy trade through the upcoming fiscal year's budget and policies and programmes.    
The IPPAN concluded that the route has been clear for major reforms and improvement in the energy sector as the government has given license for the developers and the international market of the power is also guaranteed.    
Acharya stated that now the government should immediately give approval for power purchase since the foundation for power trade has been built.

 "A historic agreement has been signed during Prime Minister Dahal’s India visit. Now, the government and its agencies should work to implement the agreement," Acharya added.    
The IPPAN also thanked the PM for focusing the visit more on economic diplomacy and making crucial efforts for energy trade. -- RSS