Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barshaman Pun has forwarded a proposal to collaborate with the government of Qatar for electrification of rural areas in Kathmandu.

In a meeting on Tuesday with the delegation of Qatar Fund for Development, Pun said the government had expanded electricity access to 80% of the Nepali population, and has been planning to achieve 100% electrification within three years.

Issues regarding investment in energy, solar energy and hydropower sector and possible collaboration venture between two countries were discussed in the meeting.

Samer R Frangieh, senior advisor to the minister at the international development department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar said that the country was interested in supporting Nepal in its development. He stated that Qatar was interested in collaborating with Nepal in the sectors of energy, tourism and agriculture. He also said that Qatar was ready to make investments in the energy sector.

Pun called for investment, stating that the government has adopted liberal policy and has the provision of direct foreign investment for those willing to make investment in Nepal. “The government has embraced liberal policy in hydropower sector, we have the policy to waive 80% income tax in the first 10 years and 50% after that,” Pun said in the meeting. “Nepal has appropriate environment for investment.” He added that Nepal had an aim of generating 25,000 MW of hydropower in 10 years.