Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the project “The Inclusive Rural Development in Nawalparasi”.

The MOU was signed by the Choe Yong-jin, Korean Ambassador to Nepal and Suman Prasad Sharma, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance on July 24, 2015 at the Ministry of Finance.

On behalf of Korean government, KOICA will spend US$ 8 million over the period of five years in five VDCs: Bhujhahawa, Guthiprasauni, Kudiya, Sanai, Tamasariya and one Sunwal Municipality of Nawalparasi.

According to a press release issued by KOICA, through this project, KOICA aims to support GoN’s strategy of improving the living standard of the people through agricultural and rural development. The overall goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of the target population through sustainable agricultural development, strengthening of social infrastructure, improving the quality of and access to Healthcare services and enhancing the capacity of the community and local government.

The project is to build a contemporary development model through integration of local participatory planning process of GoN and Korean development model known as ‘Saemaul Undong (SU)’. UN has also recognized Saemaul Undong as a successful and effective model of rural development.

KOICA is planning to provide technical and advisory assistance during project implementation and provide the equipments and material necessary for the successful implementation of the project. At the same time, KOICA will focus its activities in capacity development of local governments so as to strengthen local governance system of the community.

During the signing ceremony Korean Ambassador to Nepal Choe Yong-jin stated that this project is the first bilateral program of Korean government in the local development sector of Nepal. He expressed his hope that joint efforts of two governments can ultimately benefit communities and create change in project site.

Similarly, in the signing program, Finance Secretary Mr. Sharma committed full support from the GoN side for successful implementation of the project.