Kathmandu. Nepal has started the homework to move forward with two projects in the first phase under the Chinese ‘Belt and Road Initiatives’ (BRI). The two projects that Nepal is trying to move forward with in the first phase under the BRI are the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel and the Kimathangka-Khandbari Road.
“We want to move forward with these two projects in the first phase. Discussions are underway with the Chinese side on this issue,” a high-ranking source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Bahrakhari, “We have moved forward with both projects being built with grant aid.”
It is said that the remaining projects will be moved forward after the two projects are successful. If the Chinese side gives its approval for the two projects, work will move forward soon. Both the projects selected under the first phase are related to Nepal and China.
Both the projects will strengthen the border, movement and connectivity in the north. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitious project is the BRI. Xi has been giving high priority to the BRI since coming to power in 2012. The BRI was established on September 7, 2013, with the aim of establishing a new trade route for China with the world.
In the past 11 years, 150 countries around the world have participated in the BRI. Countries from Asia to Africa, Europe to Latin America are participating in the BRI.
China has been providing funds for the BRI project from its 3 trillion US dollars of foreign exchange reserves. China has already invested in more than 3,000 projects under the BRI.
Nepal had agreed in principle to the BRI in 2014. On May 12, 2017, the BRI Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Nepal and China. It has been 7 and a half years since the MoU on the BRI was signed. But not a single project had moved forward in Nepal.
Meanwhile, during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China from 17 to 20 Mangsir 2081, the ‘Framework for Belt and Road Cooperation’ was signed between Nepal and China.
The Framework Agreement for Belt and Road Cooperation signed last November included 10 projects. Under the infrastructure and urban development, there are the Tokha Chhahare Tunnel, Hilsa Simikot Highway, Kimathangka-Khandwari Road and Kimathangka Bridge with Integrated Check Post, the China-Nepal Cross-Border Railway Project on the Nepal side, and the Amargadhi Assembly Hall Project.
Under the energy project, the Geelong-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime 220 kV cross-border transmission line has been included. Under the education and health project, the Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology and the Kathmandu Scientific Center and Science Museum have been included.
Similarly, the China-Nepal Friendship Industrial Park project has been included in the industrial and commercial infrastructure and the Jhapa Sports and Athletics Complex project has been included in the sports infrastructure.
Out of the 10 projects mentioned in the framework for Belt and Road cooperation, the Chhahare Tunnel and Kimathanka-Khandwari Road and Kimathanka Bridge project with integrated check post are being considered for the first phase.
“There are still some differences of opinion between the two ruling parties on the BRI. UML is in favor of taking both loans and grants based on the needs, and Nepali Congress is in favor of taking Tatkal through grants. The agreement has been made so that both loans and grants can be taken. That is why we have emphasized on taking Tatkal through grant-based projects,” said a source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The source claims that an understanding has also been reached between the ruling parties UML and Congress to take forward the Chhahare Tunnel and Kimathanka-Khandwari Road in the first phase under the BRI.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been giving high importance to the BRI project and its implementation. That is why Prime Minister Oli had also given BRI a high priority in the political report he presented at the CPN-UML Central Committee meeting held in Kathmandu from December 21 to 23.
“The recent official visit to China and the signing of the BRI cooperation document during that visit are important. These meetings and visits have made a meaningful contribution to strengthening Nepal’s neighborly relations,” Oli’s political report states.
He said that the BRI will help Nepal overcome the difficulties created by landlockedness by supporting connectivity and infrastructure construction, diversify Nepal’s transit facilities, facilitate trade and increase investment.
Oli stated that the UML wants to enhance partnerships with other development partners and attract investment in areas of national priority and ensuring national interests, like the BRI. Despite attempts to create a rift between the two major ruling parties, UML and Congress, Oli has claimed that he has succeeded in breaking the misconceptions spread about the BRI by creating a common understanding.
Prime Minister and UML Chairman Oli has said that the BRI has helped strengthen the national stance. He also claimed that he has succeeded in making the entire nation speak with one voice in mobilizing foreign aid.