‘Power Trade Agreement (PTA) between Nepal and India will be signed before the upcoming Nepal visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.’

Energy Minister Radha Kumari Gyawali making it clear that the much-awaited PTA between Nepal and India will be signed soon during the Nepal-India energy secretary-level meeting in New Delhi. She also informed the press that an agreement for the implementation of the Pancheshwar multi-purpose  project will be signed during Modi’s Nepal visit.

 

‘We must be ready to sign power purchase agreement (PPA) in US dollar to attract FDI in the hydropower sector.’

Khadga Bahadur Bisht, president of Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal, claiming that PPA in foreign currency is necessary to exploit the huge hydropower potential of the country.

 

‘Nepal’s trade deficit has soared in the present because the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies was ignored in the past.’

Minister for Commerce and Supplies, Sunil Bahadur Thapa claiming that the commerce and supplies portfolio has always been given to fringe parties in Nepal and hence the voice of the minister holding this portfolio is not taken seriously in the Cabinet meeting, leading to ever-increasing trade deficit. According to Minister Thapa, finance, industry, commerce and supplies, and foreign affairs ministries should be given to the same party when there is a coalition government. 

 

‘The new budget has addressed several suggestions of the private sector.’

FNCCI President Pradeep Jung Pandey, saying that the budget for FY 2014/15 is private sector friendly and has incorporated several long-standing suggestions of the private sector.