KATHMANDU- Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has returned home after participating in the annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
He had left Kathmandu for Doha on September 26 to attend the meeting.
The 2026 AIIB Annual Meeting was held on September 28–29 under the theme “Tomorrow’s Infrastructure: Impact and Innovation.” The meeting marked the bank’s transition into its second decade and highlighted its continued focus on scaling up investment in sustainable infrastructure across its member countries.
According to the Finance Minister’s Secretariat, the Doha meeting was productive in expanding the bank’s investment in Nepal’s infrastructure development, promoting technology transfer and strengthening cooperation among member countries.
The meeting elected Finance Minister and AIIB Governor Dr Wagle as Vice-Chair for 2026–27. Nepal was elected to the position from among the bank’s regional member countries.
Speaking at the Governors Business Round Table held on the occasion, Finance Minister Wagle called for increased investment in productive sectors, including roads, electricity, communications and information technology, alongside arrangements for the necessary capital.
He also suggested that the bank make its investments more favourable to the needs of countries like Nepal, attract domestic and foreign private capital, and prioritize productive investments based on national development needs.
According to the Finance Minister’s Secretariat, Wagle held discussions with the AIIB President and the finance ministers of Qatar, India, Bangladesh, Armenia and Georgia on bilateral interests, economic cooperation, expanded investment and support for Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction.
Nepal has been elected Vice-Chair of the AIIB for the first time. According to the Finance Minister’s Secretariat, the appointment is expected to create further opportunities for infrastructure development through increased bank investment, technology transfer and international cooperation.