Kathmandu. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has urged the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to expand its investment in Nepal. He made this request during a meeting between Finance Minister Wagley and Bank President Zhou Jiayi on the sidelines of the 11th Annual Meeting of the Governor’s Council of Governors in Doha, Qatar.

During the meeting, Wagle urged the AIIB to further expand its support in post-disaster reconstruction, concessional financial access and infrastructure development.

During the meeting, President Jiyi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property in Nepal due to the recent devastating flooding in the Bhotekoshi River and pledged to provide every possible support from the bank in the reconstruction.

She informed that the grant assistance will be provided for project preparation through the ‘Project Preparation Specialised Fund’ of AIIB. She also said that the loan provided to Nepal can be maintained at the maximum concessional interest rate by using the grant of this fund.

During the meeting, Finance Minister Wagle urged the government to expedite the completion of the study of the Electricity Distribution System Improvement and Expansion Project and the Express Road. He also expressed sorrow over the damage caused by floods at the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, which is funded by AIIB.

Finance Minister Khatiwada urged the AIIB to mobilize resources from other donor agencies as well as for green energy, cross-border electricity transmission line, road and digital infrastructure development under mid-term and long-term assistance.

During the meeting, President Jiyi reiterated her commitment to move forward by working more in the field of economic development with the founding member Nepal. Finance Minister Wagle congratulated the newly appointed President Jiayi and thanked the AIIB for its support to Nepal.

On the occasion, Finance Minister Wagle extended an invitation to Jiyi to visit Nepal within 2026.