Kathmandu, November 16 : The Government of Nepal and the World Bank have signed two
agreements totaling US$155.7 million to be invested in the construction and maintenance of safe, resilient
and cost-effective bridges in Nepal, and in improving food security of vulnerable households and
communities in the country.
“With these two projects, the Government of Nepal and World Bank will come together to ensure better
livelihoods, access, trade and life opportunities for thousands of Nepalese people,” said Finance
Minister Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada while speaking at a signing ceremony held recently in the capital.“The first credit of US$133 million will be instrumental in ensuring the ell-being of the country’s Strategic Roads Network, comprising of roughly 12,142 kilometers of national highways, feeder roads and other roads of national importance.
The second project will be in the form of a grant of US$22.7 million that contributes to the Government’s capacity to deliver agriculture extension
services at the decentralized levels, and to diversify income opportunities for the rural poor,” he added.
The first credit will finance the US$133 million Second Bridges Improvement and Maintenance
Program targeting approximately 477 bridges along Nepal’s Strategic Roads Network. This includes
maintenance support for approximately 90 bridges and upgrading road safety measures on approximately
180 existing bridges to help reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
The program will also support construction, rehabilitation or replacement of approximately 80 new two-lane bridges and 35 four-lane bridges.
. In addition, it will help the Department of Roads complete construction of 92 bridges that are vital to
improving connectivity and access throughout Nepal.
“We are deepening our collaboration with the Government of Nepal through the development and
sustainability of key strategic bridges, and through enhancement of food security and nutrition. These
contribute greatly to Nepal’s development storyline by addressing the need for connectivity, human capital
development and shared prosperity,” said Mr. Hartwig Schafer, Vice President of World Bank for South
Asia Region.
Under the second agreement, the multi-donor Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) will
provide a US$22.7 million grant to support the Food and Nutrition Enhancement Project.The project aims to
improve the health and livelihoods of approximately 65,000 direct beneficiaries, of which 65 percent will
target women. It will work with smallholder and marginal farmers to improve nutritional behavior by linking it
with agriculture-related and income-enhancing activities. In addition, farmers from adjacent communities are
expected to indirectly benefit through knowledge exchanges and other engagements from project-supported
farmers.
The agreements were signed by Finance Secretary Rajan Khanal and the World Bank Country Director for
Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan,Qimiao Fan, in the presence of Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada and
World Bank Vice President for South Asia Region,Hartwig Schafer. Senior government officials were
present during the occasion.
