As our partnership evolved, it became same time, for development to be apparent that development had to be sustainable, it needed to include inclusive to be successful and sustainable. measures to protect the country’s While working to improve the transfer of natural resources. While Bank its extensive development knowledge, assistance in the traditional areas the World Bank become an active listener, continued, an increasing amount of seeking input from the local people who assistance was provided in education are the best authorities on their lives and and health, and to support forest their development needs. In the following management aimed at conserving As the partnership progressed, the Group will continue to help decades it become increasingly apparent Nepal’s precious biodiversity. World Bank learned valuable lessons develop the systems, institutions that greater investments were needed in Protection of the environment was about development effectiveness. and skills required to ensure that the its human resources, especially women, also given increasing importance in Across the broad spectrum of Nepali State prospers and delivers for Nepal to attain its full potential. At the all Bank financed projects. its assistance to Nepal, the Bank the benefits of development to began to place increasing emphasis its citizens, especially women and on two key areas. One was on vulnerable populations, in an strengthening partnerships with inclusive and accountable manner. other development organizations, Consistent with national priorities, the private sector, Nepali civil society, the Bank Group will continue to NGOs and CBOs, and particularly support Nepal’s efforts at overcoming the local communities – women and constraints in terms of productivity, men – who development projects connectivity and the delivery of are designed to benefit. The other public services, as well as help area of increased emphasis was on disadvantaged Nepalis cope with fostering stronger governance and economic and social vulnerabilities. social accountability to maximize the The Bank will also continue to bring benefits of development assistance. resources and decisions closer to As our partnership moves into beneficiaries, where they are likely to the next decade, the World Bank be most productively used.

The World Bank Group Public Information Center Nepal Office 1st Floor, West Wing P.O. Box 798 Lal Durbar Convention Center Yak and Yeti Hotel Complex Yak and Yeti Hotel Complex, Durbar Marg, , Nepal Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, NEPAL Tel.: 4226792 Email: [email protected] Fax: 4225112 NEPAL AND THE WORLD BANK GROUP www.worldbank.org/np www.facebook.com/WorldBankNepal 50 YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

Data Sources: Nepal’s Three Year Interim Plan (2010-2013) Nepal’s Population Census, 2012 Nepal’s Economic Survey, 2012 Nepal’s Fourth Five Year Plan (1970-1975) A celebration of Nepal’s Development Results

he World Bank Group has been a development partner in Nepal for the past five decades, providing financing, technical assistance and advice. Over the years, the Bank’s support has evolved Tin focus and form to meet the changing needs of Nepal. But this partnership has always maintained a primary purpose: the reduction of poverty to An Economic Mission from “...there are already signs that traditional attitudes When the Bank Group first invested in a now is about US$ 20 billion. Per capita raise the living standards of the Nepali people. the World Bank visited are gradually breaking down under the impact of new project, Nepal was starting its Fourth Five Year GDP is around US$ 730. World Bank Nepal for the first time ideas as more and more young people go to school Development Plan (1970-75). The total public assistance more than doubled since the in November, 1963. The expenditure for the entire plan period was US$ 1990s to US$ 1.3 billion today. team spent two and a half and university or travel abroad. Many years more will 257 million. Back then, Nepal’s population weeks in Kathmandu and be needed, however, to equip Nepal with the trained was about 11 million. The size of the Nepali The World Bank provided its first technical also visited , manpower, knowledge of public administration, economy was less than US$ 1 billion and per assistance grant to Nepal in 1964 to Birgunj, , the Rapti management experience, economic information, capita GDP was under US$ 75. finance and organize a transport survey. Valley and . In its and other attributes of a developing society. By its But the first credit was approved in 1969 report, the team observed achievements to date, Nepal has established a good Today, the Three Year Interim Plan envisages for a telecommunications project. Over the following: public expenditures of nearly US$ 14 billion. the next decade, the Bank’s assistance claim for continued external support...” Nepal’s population has more than doubled in focused mainly on agriculture, irrigation the meantime. The size of the Nepali economy and infrastructure development in telecommunications, highways, power, and water supply and sanitation.