May 9: The Government of Nepal has signed an agreement with Switzerland to implement the Trail-based Tourism Development Project (TTDP) in Koshi Province.

The TTDP aims to promote local economic development and sustainable tourism by enhancing culturally and historically important trails in the high hills of Koshi Province, reads a statement issued by the Swiss Embassy.

Shree Krishna Nepal, joint-secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Dr Danielle Meuwly, Swiss Ambassador to Nepal, inked the agreement on behalf of their respective governments on Thursday.

As per the agreement Switzerland will contribute CHF 9.01 million (about Rs 1.26 billion), while the Government of Nepal will inject approximately CHF 1.3 million (about Rs 186 million) for trail improvement and promotion over the next four years. The Koshi Province government and local governments will also contribute to the project.

The project will be implemented by 29 local governments in collaboration with the Koshi Provincial government. It will involve the construction of around 400 km of trails and is expected to create approximately 2,000 local jobs in tourism-related businesses, reads the statement.

Additionally, around half a million person-days of employment will be generated through cash-for-work during the trail construction.

Upon completion, the trails are projected to attract approximately 80,000 visitors annually, including domestic tourists and visitors from the region. This influx of visitors is expected to stimulate economic growth and contribute to the preservation of local culture and heritage, reads a press release issued by the Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal.