Economic agenda priority in SAARC summit: Nepal Finance Minister

Kathmandu, July 30 (ANI): Nepal's Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat today said that the economic agenda will be given emphasis at the 15th South Asian Association Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit on August 2.

Addressing an interaction programme here, Dr Mahat said Nepal would table a special proposal on measures to meet the increasing demand of energy, not only in Nepal but also the South Asian region.

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He further said rising prices of petroleum products have put pressure alternative energy sources like hydropower in Nepal

He said that as Nepal has water resources, India has coal and Bangladesh has gas, these natural resources must be utilised to move ahead struggling the crisis.

Dr Mahat also informed that caretaker Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is scheduled to hold special talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during the SAARC summit.

"They will insist the Indian government to decrease steel mark tax which is imported in Nepal and to give permission to let the belongings stated in negative list to be exported in India," he informed.

Dr. Mahat is scheduled to leave Kathmandu today to participate in the ministerial meeting of the SAARC summit, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)