AIIB Pledges Support for Nepal’s Disaster-Resilient Reconstruction

Dragon Media News Desk

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Zou Jiayi has pledged support for Nepal’s disaster-resilient reconstruction following the recent floods. During a meeting with Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle in Doha, she expressed condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by the flooding of the Bhotekoshi River.

Wagle, who is attending the 11th annual meeting of the AIIB Board of Governors as Nepal’s governor to the bank, sought increased investment, reconstruction support and greater access to concessional financing. He also called for resources to be directed towards longer-term infrastructure development.

Zou said the bank could provide grants to help prepare projects through its specialised project preparation fund. She also raised the possibility of using grants under another specialised fund window to make AIIB loans to Nepal available at more concessional interest rates. No funding amount or loan agreement was announced at the meeting.

Wagle urged the bank to expedite work on its electricity distribution improvement and expansion project and a study of an express road. He also drew attention to flood damage at the bank-financed Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project.

The finance minister sought AIIB financing, alongside resources from other development partners, for green energy, cross-border electricity transmission lines, roads and digital infrastructure. He invited Zou to visit Nepal before the end of 2026.