Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle visits Washington for economic talks

Nepali Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has departed for a two-day official visit to Washington, D.C., at the invitation of World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. The high-level delegation aims to mobilize international support for post-disaster reconstruction and attract investment for critical infrastructure.

A primary focus of the discussions will be securing aid for the reconstruction of physical and economic infrastructure damaged by recent catastrophic flooding in the Bhotekoshi region. The minister seeks to ensure that new developments are resilient to future disasters.

Additional agenda items include strategies to assist Nepal in exiting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List and implementing broad economic reforms. Wagle is scheduled to meet with officials from the World Bank, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), as well as private sector investors, to promote projects involving roads and electricity transmission lines.