German vice minister visiting Nepal today

Published On: October 3, 2019 07:35 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Oct 3: German Vice Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Norbert Barthle is arriving in Kathmandu on Thursday on a three-day visit to Nepal.

The visit underlines Germany’s wish to continue its long-standing partnership with Nepal by adding a new dimension to it, said a press statement issued by Embassy of Germany in Kathmandu.

During his stay in Nepal, the vice minister will call on Prime Minister KP Oli and discuss political and economic matters. He is also scheduled to hold meeting with other government officials and attend Germany National Day celebration as a guest of honor on Thursday.

He will attend the inauguration of the German Technical School in Dhunebesi Municipality in Dhading district on Friday. He is also scheduled to inaugurate the National Load Dispatch Center (NLDC), which is financially supported through the German Development Cooperation with a grant of 7 million euros.
The Germany Embassy in a statement said the NLDC is technically-improved and will be the heart of the Nepali power grid. “Strong development cooperation will continue as in the past six decades. This will be showcased by the inauguration of the Load Dispatch Center. Energy, especially renewal energy, is one of the three pillars of German-Nepali cooperation, the other two being health and sustainable economic development,” the statement further said.

The statement said that Germany will also continue to make significant contributions through the European Union as well as multilateral institutions, namely the development banks and the UN System. “However, as Nepal is opening a new political and economic chapter of its life as a nation, its partnership with Germany will also change. Private industries from Germany are starting to explore opportunities in Nepal,” said German envoy to Nepal Roland Schäfer.

Ambassador Schäfer said that Vice Minister Barthle will also meet with the participants of the first business-to-business forum. “His support to the German Technical School in Dhading shows that professional training will be key to developing future industrial relationship with Germany and the whole of Europe,” the envoy further said.