Kathmandu: The Swiss government has pledged 9.01 million Swiss francs in financial assistance for a trekking-based tourism project in Nepal.
At a program organized at the Finance Ministry today, Joint-Secretary Shreekrishna Nepal, representing the Ministry, and Swiss Ambassador to Nepal Dr Danielle Meuwly signed the agreement.
The four-year project, slated to begin this year (2024), aims to benefit around 100,000 locals from 29 local levels of Koshi Province directly. The Finance Ministry anticipates that the project will support the conservation of local art, culture, promote local production, create employment opportunities, and foster sustainable tourism.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Meuwly expressed confidence that the project, focusing on sustainable tourism development and enhancing the local economy, would be a significant milestone. She emphasized that the project’s implementation would significantly contribute to environmentally friendly socio-economic development.
Likewise, Joint-Secretary and Chief of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division, Nepal, elaborated that the project would enhance the tourism capacity of Koshi Province, consequently increasing income sources for locals through the promotion of eco-tourism.
Comment