Gandaki State CM and Australian envoy meet

KATHMANDU: State Chief Minister, Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokhrel, and Australi’s ambassador to Nepal, Felicity Volk, have held a courtesy meeting.

During the meeting, matters relating to bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed. The Chief Minister said he was hopeful of getting Australian assistance in the areas of education, health, energy, tourism promotion and technology enhancement in Nepal.

Stating Nepal and Australia have very cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1960, he said the mutual cooperation in the sectors of education and tourism would contribute to expanding such relations to the civic level. The two met on Monday.

As he explained, Nepal’s involvement in the Australian Development Cooperation Programme since 1979 has helped further consolidate the bilateral ties.

CM Pokhrel also acknowledged the role of the Australian government in Nepal’s education, health, environment, technology, human development, rural development and peace process.

Nepal and Australia have been connected by trade while Australia is like a second home for Nepali students as a large number of Nepali have reached there in course of pursuing higher studies, according to CM Pokhrel.

On the occasion, ambassador Volk said the Australian efforts are for improving good governance in Nepal since long and it is ensuring economic and technical assistance in strengthening federalism here in Nepal.

During the meeting, state minister for tourism, industry, commerce, and supplies, Manibhadra Sharma Kandel and minister for law, communications and parliamentary affairs Bindu Kumar Thapa apprised the ambassador of challenges seen in the implementation of federalism.

Likewise, the Australian government representative launched the Hariyokharka-based Green Pastures Hospital-based oxygen plant on Monday.