Kathmandu, June 28

Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Graeme Lade, said the ever greatest West Seti Hydropower Project in Nepal would begin after the monsoon.

Talking to media persons at the Embassy today, Ambassador Lade said, "After the completion of this hydropower, it would render tremendous contribution to Nepali economic development and employment."

The West Seti Hydro Project is being constructed by an Australian Smake Company. The estimated generation of the electricity from the project is 750 MW and the total cost of the project is some 1.5 billion US dollar.

Ambassador Lade further informed that a discussion to increase the economic aid to Nepal by the Australian government was going smoothly in the changed political situation as well.

Stating that the Nepali students pursuing higher education in Australia would contribute much to the nation after they return, Ambassador Lade said some 8,000 Nepali students have gone to Australia for higher study within a year.

Moreover, he said the trade relation between the two countries was also expanding; and carpet, furniture and handicrafts were being exported from Nepal to Australia.

Secretary of the Nepal-Australia Alumni Association Dr. Ram Sharan Pathak said at the programme organised by the Association in the Embassy that the scholarship to Nepali students provided by the Australian government was very useful for the social and economic development of Nepal.

On the occasion, Ambassador Lade, Arjun Bhandari, Sirjana Singh and Bibek Thapa shed light on the Australian scholarship.