Kathmandu: In a bid to bolster green economic practices and job creation in Pokhara, the Korean government has committed USD 9.8 million towards the “Green Job Creation through Recycling and Upcycling Project in Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC)”. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this initiative was inked by Taeyoung Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal, and Madhu Kumar Marasini, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.
The project, to be executed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to establish sustainable recycling and upcycling enterprises in Pokhara. Central to this endeavor is the creation of a Green Venture Zone (GVZ), a cutting-edge facility showcasing recycled and upcycled products, alongside hosting environmental-themed events.
“This project will not only create green jobs but also instigate behavioral changes in waste management,” stated a spokesperson from KOICA.
With an objective to establish 30 Recycle Upcycle (RU) enterprises, the project anticipates significant community-level impact, fostering waste segregation practices and easing the strain on Pokhara’s waste disposal sites.
Moreover, Pokhara Metropolitan City anticipates improved waste management, paving the way for sustainable solutions in landfill site management and bolstering the city’s appeal as a tourism hub.
Expressing gratitude for the partnership, Secretary Marasini underscored Nepal’s commitment to the project’s success, while Ambassador Park highlighted its potential to harness local skills and drive economic growth.
Amidst commemorations marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between Nepal and Korea, Ambassador Park reaffirmed Korea’s dedication to strengthening cooperation and friendship with Nepal, building on a legacy of support in health, vocational training, rural development, and IT since 1991, totaling over 200 million US Dollars in assistance by 2023.