World Bank Grants $253 m to Nepal
On Friday, December 07, 2007, The World Bank awarded Nepal a $253 million grant to improve access of the rural poor to basic and primary education, enhance irrigation, expand rural roads, and improve living conditions, livelihoods, and empowerment of the rural poor in Nepal according to the state-run newspaper “The Rising Nepal” of December 08, 2007.
Earlier, World Bank Vice-president for South Asia, Paraful Patel briefing executive director of the World Bank group and their advisors, said the grant was intended to support the government for the implementation of development programs that enjoy the backing of the seven-party coalition to sustain the peace and to build the New Nepal. He said, “We all know that peace is needed for development. But in Nepal we also know that development is needed for peace."
World Bank Country Director for Nepal, Susan Goldmark said, “This assistance package approved today demonstrates our commitment to ensure social and economic inclusion of the poor, marginalized groups, and less developed regions. Through improved schools, roads, water provision, and income-generating activities, we hope these projects will help the country step up the delivery of basic services, particularly in areas that have lost over a decade to the conflict."