Nepal: Finland gives Rs 261mln for peace trust fund

Kathmandu, May 29: The Government of the Republic of Finland has agreed to provide a grant assistance of about Rs 261.24 million to the Nepal Government for Peace Trust Fund.

An agreement to this effect was signed between the two countries at the Ministry of Finance today.

The Nepal Peace Trust Fund was established by the government with the objective of supporting the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).

The Peace Fund provides a mechanism to channel and co-ordinate resources in five areas -- Management of Camps and Reintegration of Former Combatants, Rehabilitation of Internally Displaced People, Election of Constituent Assembly, Strengthening of Law and Order and police administration, and Support to the Peace Process, according to the finance ministry.

The joint secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Mr Krishna Gyawali, and Charge d' Affairs at the Embassy of Finland Pirkko-Liisa Kyostila signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.

The government of Nepal has expressed sincere appreciation to the government of the Republic of Finland for this assistance and continued support in the socio-economic development of the Himalayan nation.

Earlier, the British Government had deposited Rs 316.18 million in the fund. The governments of Switzerland and Denmark had donated Rs 53.91 million and Rs 121.06 million, respectively.

UNI