POKHARA, March 29: Ten projects based in Kaski district are going to be showcased at the two-day Nepal Investment Summit to kick off on Friday.
According to the government of Gandaki Province, the projects will be jointly showcased by the provincial government and the private sector. The provincial government will be presenting six of the projects while the private sector will present the remaining four.
The provincial government is set to present projects on the Pokhara-Kathmandu-Lumbini railway, Integrated Agriculture Program in Hemja, Marsyangdi Hydropower, Multipurpose Tourism Project in Damauli, Muktinath Cable Car Project and a Ski Resort in Manang. Smilarly, various private sector representatives will showcase Annapurna Sikles Cable Car Project , Kaligandaki gorge and, Mid Kaligandaki and Myagdi River hydropower projects.
According to the information officer of the investment summit, Raju Guragain, the projects which the provincial government will present are the ones that the government will be able to undertake alone.
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The Pokhara-Lumbini-Kathmandu Railway Project has been estimated to cost USD 2.83 billion. The 187 kilometers long railway project will witness the construction of 44 underground tunnels and a 1,295 meterS long bridge across the Madi River.
The Integrated Agriculture Program of Pokhara Metropolitan City-25, Hemja, has been projected to cost USD 5.53 million. The project has been planned to consist of a cold store with a capability of holding 4,000 metric tons of produces . The program aims to brand Mustang apples, Pokhara's Jetho-budo rice, Baglung and Myagdi's string beans and Hemja, Mustang and Myagdi's potatoes.
The Gandaki Province is also going to propose a USD 61 million worth project of the construction of 'Gandaki Technical University', in Tanahun's Shuklagandaki Municipality. The government intends to present the 53 MW mid-Gandaki Hydropower Project at the summit. The private sector also plans to present the Kaligandaki Gorge Hydropower Project with an estimated cost of USD 260 million.
Gandaki Province is also planning to put forward a multipurpose tourism project in Damauli. Under the project, the construction of a lake with the help of a check dam across the Myagdi River is to be done. Myagdi River Hydropower Plant is another project with a potential of producing 57.3 MW of electricity that will be presented at the summit.
Marsyangdi Hydropower Project is another project that has been selected to be presented at the Investment Summit, with an estimated cost of USD 62.1 million.
Manang Ski Resort is another crucial project to be showcased at the summit. With an intention to solidify the tourism scene in the country, this project intends to serve tourists at all times of the year. According to the plan, the ski resort will also be hosting ski competitions.
The two other projects that will be showcased are the Skiles cable car project, which is estimated to cover around 6,850 meters and cost around USD 31 million and the Muktinath cable car project for Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims.
As many as 620 investors from 40 counties will be present at the investment summit which will be held on Friday and Saturday. Nepal government also plans to request the investors to invest in projects that are of national benefit. The summit will witness proposal presentation on 71 projects worth a total investment of Rs 3.5 trillion.
