Nepal wants collaboration with friendly nations and development partners: President Bhandari

Beijing, April 26: President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has addressed the high-level meeting of Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing today.

The meeting is being held on the theme of ‘Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future’.  President Bhandari is currently in China following the invitation from her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Addressing the meeting President Bhandari has said Nepal’s immediate goal is to graduate from Least Developed Countries’ status to a middle-income country by achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. She further said Nepal aspires to consolidate its bilateral and multilateral collaborations with its neighbors and friendly countries to overcome development challenges.

Stressing on the need of connectivity, the president said the development of ‘Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network’, including Nepal-China Cross-Border Railway, will boost connectivity not only between Nepal and China but also other countries in the region.

She said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an important framework for collaboration and connectivity saying the project embodies the efforts for mutual benefit; inclusive development and equitable world order. Meantime she thanked Chinese President Xi for his efforts to build a community of shared future for mankind through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).”

On the occasion, extending the meeting participants warms greetings and best wishes from the Government and people of Nepal, she expressed her sincere thanks to the Chinese President for the kind invitation to the event and for the warm hospitality.