KATHMANDU, Oct 8: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said the implementation of the 'Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)' project would move ahead with priority. 

At a seminar organized under the theme of 'A Decade of BRI: Trade, Investment and Connectivity' on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the BRI by the Nepal-China Friendship Forum, the PM said the project is not a list of wishes, but it is worthy of implementation.

The government has a clear view on advancing development projects by selecting and implementing projects under the BRI, he said.  

The government wanted to advance development and prosperity at a speedy pace through the implementation of the BRI, he said, adding, "Questions have often been heard regarding the delay of the project. The COVID-19 pandemic, and our system and infrastructural limitations are also blamed for this delay. However, Nepal wants to speed up development and prosperity through BRI implementation."

Saying that he fully agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping's statement that now Nepal would become a land-linked country from a landlocked one, he said he had been raising this issue with determination for the past few decades.

"Now we must take collective initiatives to turn this strategy into reality. So, we will discuss in detail the financial investment model of such projects. We believe that the Chinese side will review its investment policy and adopt a policy of grants and assistance for Nepal in the context of some projects," he said.

The unprecedented development of China, an exemplary nation to the world and a good neighbor and friend of Nepal, is both a great learning and opportunity for Nepal, he said. Nepal wants to realize speedy development, poverty alleviation and the concept of sustainable development and common prosperity put forward by China, through the implementation of the BRI, said the PM.

Thanking the Government of China for its valuable support in the economic and social development of Nepal, PM Dahal expressed the hope that Nepal-China relations based on the objectives and principles of the United Nations and the principles of Panchasheel were important for peace, stability and prosperity of the region, and we would continue to work to achieve the same objectives.

"I have made this issue clear to the Chinese leaders, the academic community and the business community. The Government of Nepal will take initiatives on the part of Nepal and remove policy and procedural obstacles," he said, adding "The Chinese side should also play its role in promoting economic, social, cultural and people to people relations with Nepal. There is a big possibility that the interests of both the countries can be promoted by expanding relations between us so both parties win. Let's turn that possibility into full opportunities."

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