ADB LOAN Kathmandu, 25 Feb.: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a grant assistance of approximately Rs. 1.26 billion—US Dollar 15 million—to Nepal for the implementation of the SASEC Trade Facilitation, RSS reports. Programme. Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Madhav Kumar Marasini, and Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of the Nepal Resident Mission, signed the agreement today. The main objective of the project is to increase intra-regional trade among the SASEC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal by reducing institutional, administrative and technical non-tariff barriers to trade. The programme has assisted Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal for the implementation of the reformed provisions of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). The Department of Customs (DOC) will implement the programme. The DOC and the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies are Implementing Agencies. The Government of Nepal expressed its sincere appreciation to the ADB for its continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal. nnnn SUSHIIL KOIRALA BRIEFS PARTY LEADERS ON MONDAY DEVELOPMENTS Kathmandu, 25 Feb.: NC President Sishil Koirala briefed the party leaders on town on Monday’s talks held among the parties and Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi and the progress made so far, NC CWC member Dr Ram Sharan Mahat told the media, according to RSS. There is no chance of further developments regarding the formation of the next government before the court decides on the case which is pending in the Supreme Court, Dr Mahat said. He insisted that parties must wait for the court’s decision before taking initiatives in forming the next government as the court has already issued show cause order on it notwithstanding the CJ’s positivity to accept his elevation as the charge of the purported election government. nnnn