Kathmandu, Aug. 7: Finance Minister Dr Yubraj Khatiwada has urged the Ambassador of Bangladesh for collaboration to work on the opportunities and challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a meeting with Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams on Friday, he appreciated the progress achieved by Bangladesh in economic development and shared that Nepal too was forwarding its pace of economic development by realizing many aspects.

Nepal has learnt more in the areas of microfinance, financial literacy, financial access and expansion of mobile banking, Minister Dr Khatiwada recalled while adding that the two countries can cooperate in disaster management, climate change, security of migrants, migration, humanitarian assistance, labour management and management of refugees.

On the occasion, he said that sub-regional unit of Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan which enjoy common languages and cultures could be crucial to accelerate the regional cooperation through the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

During the meeting, the Finance Minister also reaffirmed for the continued cooperation on bilateral trade, energy and different dimensions of investment.

As both the countries are least developed countries (LDCs), he recalled the bilateral cooperation in LDC forum and in the making of MDGs and SDGs and pointed out the need for joining hands together in the possible common issues as both the countries share common views in international and regional agendas.

In response, Ambassador Shams made her pledges to remain with Nepal in regional and international forums.

She also shared that bilateral cooperation was needed in trade, energy cooperation and areas of in