GANDAKI, July 12: Gandaki Province Chief Minister (CM) Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel, and Australia’s ambassador to Nepal, Felicity Volk, have held a courtesy meeting. During the meeting, matters relating to bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed.

The Chief Minister said he was hopeful of getting Australian assistance in the areas of education, health, energy, tourism promotion and technology enhancement in Nepal. Stating that Nepal and Australia have had very cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1960, he said the mutual cooperation in the sectors of education and tourism would contribute to expanding such relations to the civic level. The two met on Monday.

As the CM explained, Nepal's involvement in the Australian Development Cooperation Program since 1979 has helped further consolidate the bilateral ties. CM Pokharel also acknowledged the role of the Australian government in Nepal's education, health, environment, technology, human development, rural development and the peace process.

Nepal and Australia have been connected by trade while Australia is like a second home for Nepali students as a large number of Nepalis have reached there in the course of pursuing their higher studies, according to CM Pokharel. On the occasion, Ambassador Volk said the Australian efforts are for improving good governance in Nepal for a long time and it is ensuring economic and technical assistance in strengthening federalism here in Nepal.

During the meeting, the province’s Minister for Tourism, Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Manibhadra Sharma Kandel and Minister for Law, Communications and Parliamentary Affairs Bindu Kumar Thapa apprised the ambassador of the challenges seen in the implementation of federalism.

Likewise, the Australian government representative launched the Hariyokharka-based Green Pastures Hospital-based oxygen plant on Monday. 

(RSS)

 
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