Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has officially handed over invitation for donors' conference scheduled in Kathmandu for June 25 to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to a press statement, Dr. Mahat also requested Modi to attend the conference saying that his presence will encourage Nepalis to work for rebuilding.

Saying that huge amount of money is required for reconstruction, Mahat told Modi that Nepal was expecting big support from India. He also expressed gratitude to the Indian government support in relief and rescue efforts after the earthquake.

According to the statement, Modi assured Mahat that he will try to attend the conference and that he would send a senior minister to attend the conference in case he is not unable to visit Nepal. Modi also said India would support reconstruction works in Nepal.

Preliminary data of finance ministry shows the earthquake caused loss of $10 billion. The government has set up a $2 billion fund to begin reconstruction works. It hopes to raise more funds from donors and development agencies.

Mahat also met with Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitely and Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.

According to the statement, Mahat held discussion with Jaitely on allocation of funds to different projects to be financed by soft loan of Rs 100 billion announced by Modi during his Nepal visit in August last year.

Mahat also raised the issue of allowing Nepalis to open bank accounts in India and removing countervailing duty on Nepalis goods, among others, according to the statement.

Mahat also held an interaction with entrepreneurs and industrialists and requested them to invest in Nepal.