Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal held separate meetings with World Bank Managing Director Anna Bjerde and International Monetary Fund Deputy Managing Director Bo Li while attending the annual meetings of the two institutions in Washington, DC.

During his meeting with Bjerde, Khanal highlighted the Nepal government’s commitment to holding elections on schedule following the recent Gen Z movement.

The interim government announced to hold parliamentary elections on March 5, 2006.

He also emphasised government efforts made to improve governance, accountability, and the business environment through institutional and procedural reforms, including legal preparedness, according to a press note issued by the Ministry of Finance.

Bjerde expressed the World Bank’s willingness to work with the interim government and discussed areas for economic and development management reforms.

Khanal during his meeting with Bo thanked the IMF for its support in Nepal’s economic reforms. He said the government would continue implementing reforms under the Extended Credit Facility and strengthen collaboration with the IMF.

Bo congratulated Nepal on completing the sixth review of the facility and assured continued support for economic reforms. Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Biswo Nath Poudel also attended the meeting.

On the same day, Khanal addressed a Nepal-US Chamber of Commerce programme, and assured the investors attending the event that the government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment.

Khanal also met World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt to discuss ongoing development projects in Nepal and challenges in their implementation.