Finance Minister Wagle meets World Bank President Banga in Washington

Washington, USA, October 6, 2026 — Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle held a bilateral meeting with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga in Washington, D.C., discussing Nepal’s post-flood reconstruction, macroeconomic reforms and resource mobilisation.

Wagle, who is visiting the United States leading a Nepali delegation at Banga’s invitation, discussed the reconstruction of physical and economic infrastructure damaged by the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, according to the finance minister’s private secretariat.

The meeting also focused on macroeconomic reforms and mobilising around US$1 billion for insurance and social protection.

Banga expressed condolences over the loss of life and damage caused by the floods in Nepal and pledged significant World Bank support for reconstruction efforts.

He also appreciated the government’s policy and institutional reform measures and stressed the need to increase infrastructure investment and create employment opportunities within Nepal.

Banga said the World Bank would take initiatives to expand joint investment in Nepal’s priority sectors by bringing together development partners, including the Asian Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation.

World Bank Country Director for Nepal David Sislen said the meeting was the first direct bilateral meeting between a World Bank president and Nepal’s finance minister in three decades.

World Bank Vice Presidents Johannes Zutt and Junaid Ahmed, along with other senior officials, also attended the meeting.