Wagle urges AIIB to expand investment and support Nepal’s post-flood reconstruction

Doha, Qatar, September 28, 2026 — Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has urged the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to expand its investment in Nepal, support post-disaster reconstruction and increase the country’s access to concessional financing.

Wagle, who is in Doha to attend the 11th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the AIIB, made the request during a meeting with AIIB President Zou Jiayi on Sunday.

The AIIB president expressed sympathy over the loss of lives and property caused by the recent devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system and pledged all possible support from the bank for Nepal’s post-flood reconstruction efforts.

Jiayi said Nepal would receive grant assistance under the AIIB’s Project Preparation Special Fund to support project preparation. She also said the bank would consider providing loans to Nepal at highly concessional interest rates by utilizing grants from the Special Fund Window for Less Developed Members.

According to the Finance Minister’s Secretariat, Jiayi reaffirmed the AIIB’s commitment to further collaboration with Nepal, a founding member of the bank, for its economic development.

Wagle congratulated Jiayi on her election to the post and expressed gratitude for the AIIB’s support to Nepal.

The finance minister also called for the swift completion of AIIB-funded projects in Nepal, particularly the Electricity Distribution System Improvement and Expansion Project and the expressway study.

He also expressed concern over the damage caused by the recent Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods to the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, in which AIIB has invested.

Wagle further requested the AIIB to mobilize both its own resources and funding from other development partners to support the development of green energy, cross-border electricity transmission lines, road infrastructure and digital infrastructure as part of Nepal’s medium- and long-term development efforts.