NEWS RELEASES
CHAN WELCOMES NEPALESE MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES
October 8, 1999 (5:50 p.m. EST) No. 223
CHAN WELCOMES NEPALESE MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES
Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan today welcomed the visit of Govinda Raj Joshi, Minister for
Water Resources of the Kingdom of Nepal, on a working visit to Canada from October 11 to 15.
Minister Joshi will examine Canada's experience in managing shared water resources and seek a better
appreciation of Canadian engineering and technological capabilities in the hydro-electric power sector. The visit
will also serve to strengthen relations between Nepal and Canada.
"I look forward to meeting Minister Joshi in Ottawa on October 14," Mr. Chan said. "I want to discuss recent
political, economic and social developments in Nepal, the new government's plans for developing Nepal to its
full potential, and Nepal's perception of its present and future role among the countries of South Asia. I shall
also explore the potential for increased Canadian trade with and investment in Nepal."
Since 1978, the bilateral development assistance program of the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA) has been instrumental in increasing Nepal's ability to manage its water and energy resources in an
environmentally sound manner. In particular, Canada has worked to strengthen the institutional capacity of
Nepal's Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) to develop and co-ordinate water and energy
policies.
Minister Joshi was appointed to the water resources portfolio in May 1999. A technical team from the WECS
will accompany Minister Joshi and will remain in Canada for a two-week training program organized by CIDA.
The Minister's delegation will visit Toronto October 11 and 12, Niagara Falls October 13, Ottawa October 14
and Montreal October 15.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Naseem Nuraney
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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