Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed a Record of Discussion (RoD) for the project ‘the Inclusive Rural Development in Nawalparasi.

Dr. Som Lal Subedi, Secretary of the MoFALD and HaengLan Jo, Resident Representative of KOICA, signed an agreement on behalf of their respective organizations at MoFALD’s office.

 According to a press release issued by KOICA, KOICA will spend US$ 8 million for this project. The project is going to be implemented in five VDCs: Bhujhahawa, Guthiprasauni, Kudiya, Sanai, Tamasariya and one Sunwal Municipality.

The overall goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of the target population through sustainable agricultural development and strengthening of social infrastructure at the project site.

The project also plans to improve the quality of and access of people to Healthcare services and capacity enhancement of the communities and local government at the project site. Through this project, KOICA aims to support GoN’s strategy of agricultural and rural development for improving the living standard of the people.

In this project KOICA shall align its activities with the annual local development plan of the government of Nepal. KOICA shall provide technical and advisory assistance during project implementation and provide the equipments and material necessary for the successful implementation of the project. KOICA will also focus its activities in capacity development of local people and local governments.

The project will be based on the principle of Saemaul Undong, a comprehensive rural development model of Korea which has proved to be a successful as well as recognized by UN as a development model in raising incomes and improving the living standards of rural population.

During the signing ceremony KOICA Representative HaengLan Jo stated that the project is the strategic priority of improving the quality of life of the rural people in Nepal and is the first bilateral attempt of KOICA in the local development sector of Nepal.

Similarly, during the ceremony, Secretary of MoFALD- Dr. Som Lal Subedi expressed his sincere appreciation to the KOICA for having better coordination with government of Nepal in the field of community development.