SATV Kathmandu Sept 03: Work Bank's Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt has paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel on Tuesday.

The meeting held at the Ministry of Finance discussed various issues, including economy, urban physical infrastructure, investment, tourism and environment, according to a press statement of Ministry of Finance.

Deputy Prime Minister Paudel said that there has been a significant improvement in economic indicators this year as compared to last year and said that Nepal has made improvements in policy, structural, decision-making and implementation processes.

Stating that the Country Partnership Framework prepared by the World Bank for the next 6 years is in line with the development needs and priorities of the government in Nepal, he said that the government wants to work together with the World Bank to formulate projects and programmes according to the framework.

Deputy Prime Minister Paudel said that the Alternative Development Finance Mobilisation Bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and is under discussion in the National Assembly and said that once the Bill is passed, investment will be made in returnable projects in collaboration with the private sector. 

He expected support from the World Bank to move forward according to the goals of the Bill.

Vice President for South Asia of the World Bank, Zutt said that the World Bank will support Nepal to achieve high economic growth rates. 

He expressed the view that the World Bank will support the urban infrastructure of Lumbini and Kathmandu Valley, environmental pollution reduction and economic growth.

He said that the private sector should also be involved in moving forward.

Stating that the improvement in Nepal's economic indicators is positive, Vice President Zutt said that it is necessary to further increase investment for Nepal. 

He expressed his belief that with the enactment of the Alternative Development Finance Mobilisation Law, more new areas for investment in the infrastructure sector will be identified, and said that it will help attract private sector investment and play an important role in economic growth. 

He also suggested focusing on investment and productivity growth.