May 13, Kathmandu- Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has discussed with the heads and representatives of international development partner organizations regarding the preparation of the budget for the next financial year 2081/082.

Minister Pun discussed the budget with the development partners at the Ministry of Finance in Singha Durbar on Monday.

Multilateral development partners such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund and International Finance Corporation and international development missions Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, South Korea, Japan, UK, and resident ambassadors of the European Union and bilateral development related to those countries to discuss budget issues with the finance minister. Heads and representatives of partner organizations were also present.

During the discussion, Finance Minister Pun expressed his views on the government's priorities and principles in the upcoming budget, according to his secretariat. He said that the government is committed to bringing in foreign direct investment (FDI) for the development of Nepal and creating a favourable investment environment for the private sector.

Pun said that they are in a situation where foreign investment or aid should be emphasized as internal resource mobilization alone is not enough to achieve the development goals set by the government.

Pun said that the government is in favor of inclusive, equitable and sustainable development so that the benefits of development reach all the people. "The government is focused on inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic development", He said, "We have moved forward in the belief that everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of development and bring about changes in the lives and livelihood of the Nepali people". Minister Pun expressed his hope that the cooperation will reach further heights in the future in the conference.