Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Sunday inaugurated Nepal’s third international airport in western Nepal’s tourist hub Pokhara built with Chinese assistance. ‘Prachanda’ unveiled a plaque marking the official opening of the Pokhara Regional International Airport (Priya), a week after he was appointed as Prime Minister. PRIA, a flagship project of Nepal-China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation, was constructed with Chinese loan assistance. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel and other top leaders were also present on the occasion.
International flights are expected to start after the second week of February. The government had signed a $215.96 million soft loan agreement with China in March 2016 for the construction of a new airport in the lake city.
CDA WANG: China has always given priority to its friendship with Nepal, resolutely worked with Nepal to achieve political stability and economic and social development, and tactfully worked with Nepal to deepen regional friendship between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/Usqkk0jPgH– Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal (@PRCSpoxNepal) January 1, 2023
Speaking on the occasion, Prachanda, who is said to be close to China, underlined that air connectivity is the most effective means of connectivity for a landlocked country like Nepal. “The airport at Pokhara has become operational from today as the third international airport in the country,” he said. “With the opening of this airport, Pokhara’s connection with the international sector has been established.”
The Prime Minister also requested the Chinese government to facilitate the opening of border crossings with China and assist in the construction of railway services and other projects.
He said, I have become the Prime Minister after getting elected from Gandaki province, the people here have given me the opportunity to serve as the Prime Minister for the third time, for which I want to thank them. He said that under his leadership, the government will work with the basic mantra of social justice, good governance and prosperity of the people.
“Earlier I played a leading role in establishing a democratic republic, now I will take the country forward by promoting economic growth, prosperity and good governance,” he said.
Chinese Embassy Charge d’Affaires Wang Xin said that the airport has been designed and built according to Chinese standards, reflects the high quality of Chinese engineering, and is a symbol of Nepal’s national honour.
The Chinese envoy said, “Pokhra International Airport has been highly valued by the leaders of China and Nepal. The new airport will become a vivid exercise and a powerful witness to working together to achieve common development and prosperity.”
He said that the arrival of Chinese tourists will contribute significantly to Nepal’s tourism sector as the country embarks on the ‘Tourism Decade 2023-2033’.
“Under the guidance of the two heads of state, we will jointly build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and bring fruitful results to the BRI cooperation,” he said.
“Export of Nepali products to China was resumed with the resumption of two-way trade at Kerung/Rasuwagadi border port. Two-way trade at Pulan/Yari port will be reopened in early 2023,” he said. Said,” and adding “Nepali products will be exported to China.”
“The expert team has recently arrived in Nepal for the feasibility study and survey of the China-Nepal cross-border railway, which is an important step in the construction of this ‘Sky Road’. Nepal’s dream of becoming one of the ‘land-locked countries'” The ‘country connected to the land’ will finally come true.”
Meanwhile, the chief minister of Gandaki province, Krishna Chandra Pokharel, urged the Chinese government to convert the loan provided for the Pokhara airport construction project into a grant.
“I urge the Chinese government through the Chinese Embassy here to convert 75 per cent of the total loan into a grant,” he said. He said the airport should serve passengers from South Asia in the first phase and then passengers from western countries in the second phase.
Pokhrel hoped that with the operationalization of the international airport, there would be a significant increase in the number of tourists in the city.