By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Sept. 13: Vice President of Compact Operations of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the United States of America Fatema Z. Sumar said on Sunday that the MCC Nepal Compact Programme would be implemented only after its ratification from the Parliament of Nepal.

Speaking at a press conference, before leaving Kathmandu today, she said that the programme was announced upon Nepal’s request.
“Since it is already too late, it is time to act,” she said, adding that she was optimistic that the political leaders of Nepal understood the urgency of the agreement. She also said that the programme would support in Nepal’s economic development and asked, why should Nepal wait to generate employment opportunities and create jobs?

Sumar and Jonathan Brooks, MCC’s Deputy Vice President for Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America, met with community, business, and political leaders to discuss the economic opportunities provided by the compact and offer any needed clarifications.

“It was a pleasure to be back in Nepal where we had such productive discussions with a wide cross-section of Nepali society from parliamentarians and party leaders to civil society and the business community,” said Sumar. “I am encouraged by the support the compact received throughout my trip in so many of our conversations. Through open and honest dialogue, we were able to clarify questions and address misconceptions, particularly those stemming from a deliberate misinformation campaign. I look forward to the Government of Nepal taking the next step to ratify the compact so we can strengthen Nepal’s economy for years to come.”
According to her, the USA couldn’t afford to wait for long for the programme to be endorsed.

During her visit, Sumar paid calls on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, chairmen of the ruling coalition parties CPN (MC) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal, and chairman of the main opposition CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli.

She also met Finance Minister Janardan Sharma ‘Pravakar’ and Minister for Energy Pampha Bhusal. In the meetings, she discussed about the possible early ratification of the programme by the Parliament.