US embassy expresses concern on delayed MCC ratification

US embassy expresses concern on delayed MCC ratification

Kathmandu, 30 June: Today, 30 June, is the deadline for MCC ratification but there is no sign of endorsement of the 500 million worth American grant project from the Nepal government in the near future as it is still impending in the Federal Parliament.

There is no sign of ratification of the project in the near future as the ruling party is in serious dispute regarding adoption of the project.

Meanwhile, the American embassy here has expressed concern on delayed project ratification.

The Embassy, issuing a statement on 29 June evening, has stated, “The United States is aware that Parliament has not yet ratified the MCC Compact. Ratification is the next step needed to proceed with the $500M grant, which the two countries signed in September 2017 and which Nepal committed to ratify by September 2019.”  “Delaying ratification is delaying the benefits of more jobs and increased economic growth for nearly 23 million Nepalis,” the Embassy has stated.

“Accepting this grant is Nepal’s choice but the availability of the funding is not open-ended,” the Embassy has alerted.

“Tangible, near-term steps in Nepal are necessary to ensure the continued viability of the program,” it has suggested.

The Embassy statement read: “The Government of Nepal and MCC have worked together continuously since 2012 under multiple governments, representing all major political parties, to develop the compact program. This compact will build electric transmission infrastructure and perform road maintenance activities and directly benefit 23 million Nepalis. The projects funded by the compact are priorities identified by Nepal during the nearly three years of project design to benefit the people of Nepal.

MCC is a committed partner having successfully partnered with nearly 30 countries worldwide on 37 grant agreements of several hundred million dollars, totaling $13 billion. These grants have helped lift millions of people from poverty by catalyzing investment and economic growth and have supported partner countries’ sovereignty. Every country eligible for a second grant has requested one. MCC’s transparency as a development partner is also recognized globally, and this year MCC was once again ranked as the top bilateral donor in the Aid Transparency Index.

The United States and Nepal share a 73-year partnership working together in many sectors successfully and to the benefit of both countries.  The Nepali-led projects funded by the MCC compact support poverty reduction through economic growth.

People’s News Monitoring Service