Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal has formally requested the Chinese government to convert the loan provided for the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport into a grant. This appeal was communicated by the Ministry of Finance, reflecting Nepal's current economic challenges and the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Dhaniram Sharma, Chief of the International Financial Aid Coordination Division under the Ministry of Finance, delivered the official request letter to Yang Weigun, Vice Chair of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, during a program held at the Ministry of Finance on Thursday.

At the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel emphasized the importance of the request, urging China to consider Nepal's economic situation and the spirit of good neighborliness in granting this conversion.

The ceremony also witnessed the signing of four separate cooperation agreements between the two countries. These agreements pertain to the construction of an 8.2 km road from Kalanki to Bashundhara in the Maharajgunj area of the Kathmandu Ring Road, the upgrading of the Hilsa-Simikot road section to two lanes, the construction of Integrated Check Post (ICP) and Inland Container Depot (ICD) at the Korala transit point in Mustang, and a feasibility study for the maintenance and improvement of the Araniko Highway and landslide control measures.

Finance Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire signed the agreements on behalf of the Nepalese government, while Yang Weigun represented China. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, and other dignitaries were also present at the occasion.