The Government of the Denmark has agreed to provide a grant assistance of 600 million Danish Kroner (about Rs. 10.8 billion) to the Government of Nepal for the implementation of Peace, Rights and Governance (PRGP) and Inclusive Growth Programmes (UNNATI) in Nepal. Two separate agreements were signed and exchanged between the two governments at the Ministry of Finance, today.

 

The objective of the UNNATI Programme is to promote sustainable, inclusive growth that reduces poverty and raises living standards of the Nepalese people. Considering the private sector as the engine of economic growth the project aims to cooperate with the private sector to achieve the outlined goal. The total assistance to the UNNATI Programme is 400 million Danish Kroner (about 7.2 billion NRs.).

 

The project is designed to be implemented with three major components namely first, the Value Chain Components, second the Infrastructure Component and the third the Enabling Environment Component. The first component includes the commercialization of agriculture through selected three products; orthodox tea, ginger and dairy. The second component emphasizes on the rural transport infrastructure.  Likewise the third component stresses on the public-private dialogue and advocacy for responsible business including rights and good corporate governance.

                                                                             

The Ministry of Agriculture Development has been designated as Lead Agency of the programme and will be implemented in partnership with Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, Ministry of Industry, Nepal Rastra Bank and private sectors. The implementation period of the project will be 5 years.

 

Likewise the objectives of the PRGP projectare the consolidation of peace, an increased respect for human rights and the strengthening of democratic values and institutions. The total assistance to the Peace, Rights and Governance Programme (PRGP) is 200 million Danish Kroner (about 3.6 billion NRs.)

 

The PRGPis designed to be implemented with three components.They are: (i)Democratic Development, (ii) Local governanceand (iii) Access to Justice and Human Rights.The first component includes the the strengthening of sustainable peace and deepening democracy. The second component relates to the responsive and accountable local governance for effective service delivery and citizen empowerment. The third component stresses on the access to justice and human rights enhanced for all.

 

The programme will be implemented in partnership with Nepal Peace Trust Fund, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), Ministry of Law and Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs, Supreme Court, and National Human Rights Commission. The PRGP is in its  fourth phase  and expected to completed in 4 years.

 

 Mr. Shanta Raj Subedi, Secretary,  Ministry of Finance and HE Ms. Kirsten Geelan, Ambassador, Embassy of Denmark signed the agreements on behalf of their respective Governments.

 

The Government of Nepal has expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of Denmark for this assistance and for its keen and continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.

 

 

Ministry of Finance,

Singhadurbar, Kathmandu

16 December 2013