Foreign Aid Expectations Unrealistic in Today’s World: NC Whip Ghimire

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire stated that Nepal should no longer place high hopes on foreign aid, given the evolving global understanding that taxpayer money must primarily serve the interests of donor nations.

Speaking on behalf of his party during the opening session of the sixth Federal Parliament, Ghimire remarked,

“In today’s world, the belief is growing that taxes collected from a country’s citizens should be used for their own welfare. So, expecting too much foreign aid is no longer practical for us.”

He further explained that Nepal’s debt-to-GDP ratio of 40 to 42 percent is not yet alarming, but the focus must be on whether the borrowed funds are being invested in high-return projects.

Calling Nepal a country of great untapped potential, Ghimire emphasized the need to focus on internal strengths and regional cooperation.

“We are yet to fully benefit from our two neighbors—India and China. There are vast opportunities in agriculture, industry, and hydropower. Similarly, we can tap into these massive populations for tourism.”

He urged the government to bring in large-scale international investments to implement transformative projects and counter the negative narrative that nothing is happening in Nepal.

Rejecting the notion that only the system changed while conditions remained the same, he said,

“That statement is misleading—tangible signs of change are clearly visible. We must now work toward further progress.”