Korea supports USD 9.8 million for green jobs

Kathmandu- The Korean government is set to provide assistance of 9.8 million US Dollars for the creation of green jobs in Pokhara.

The MoU for the project ‘Green Job Creation through Recycling and up-cycling Project in Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC)’ was signed by Ambassador of Korea to Nepal, Taeyoung Park and Finance Secretary, Madhu Kumar Marasini at a programme organized at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.

The Korean Government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will spend the assistance amount for this project. The project will be implemented by UNDP in Pokhara in close collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) and Pokhara Metropolitan City. The primary objective of this project is to create sustainable recycling and up-cycling enterprises to foster green economic practices.

One of the core components of this project is to establish a Green Venture Zone (GVZ), which is one of the state-of-the-art centers for understanding recycle, up-cycle, innovation and startups. The GVZ will showcase final products crafted from recycled and u-cycled materials, featuring exhibition halls hosting national and international events revolving around environmental themes. Secretary Marasini expressed gratitude to the Korean Government for the partnership which will enhance the friendly relation between the two countries.

Also speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Park highlighted opportunities of this initiative to enable unemployed individuals with enhanced skills, establish green ventures, and contribute to the economic growth of the country. He further emphasized that the project shall create next level of understanding among community people on managing waste properly. The ceremony also commemorated the 50 years of diplomatic ties between Nepal and Korea.

Expressing the similarities between the two countries, Ambassador Park stated that Nepal is a priority country for development cooperation and he assured to further strengthen the cooperation and friendly ties between the two countries. The Korean government has been supporting Nepal through KOICA in various areas of health, vocational training, rural development and IT since 1991. By 2023, total amount of KOICA’s support surpassed two hundred million US Dollars.