"IMF is helping to bring foreign investors to Nepal"

Its residential office in Nepal, which was closed in 2010, has been operational since 2022. The responsibility of leading the new office rests on the shoulders of IMF Resident Representative for Nepal Teresa Daban Sanchez . Jagdishwar Pandey of Kantipur's edited part of the conversation with Spanish citizen Sanchez :

When did you come to Nepal for the first time?

I came to Nepal in May 2022 as the Nepalese representative of the International Monetary Fund. There was an IMF office in Nepal till 2010 but it was closed down after that. I came here and re-opened the new office of the IMF. Our job is to assist in the implementation of the program run with the help of the IMF. The name of the program is Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The purpose of this program is to improve the concept of policy making in Nepal and make it more effective, making the country stronger and able to work when needed.

How did you find the terrain of Nepal?

Nepal is a wonderful country. Nepal is located in an important place in the world. The geography of this place can be seen from the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, to the plains. This unique geography of Nepal has a diverse environment. From the high mountains through the mountains to the plains. Inner Madhesh Chitwan is densely forested. Kathmandu Valley has its own history and beauty. Which is very interesting. I am interested in seeing as many places as possible.

You have worked with many Nepalis. How did you get Nepalese people?

My relationship with Nepalis is different. Professionally, I meet with Nepalese government officials. I mainly focus on the work related to Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank and National Planning Commission. We seriously discuss the implementation of the program. So far many of the programs we have started have been successfully completed. It's hard to improve. But we have done it successfully. I want to thank everyone for that. Also, I have funny interactions with my Nepalese colleagues in the office.

Since I started the office myself, the responsibility of recruiting new friends to the office also fell on my shoulders. As you can see, this office is run by women. This is not by any plan, by chance we are all women working here. It's a lot of fun. Some friends have come from Nepal Rastra Bank to work with us for some time. Apart from the

business, my meetings with Nepali people also continue. For example, last year I went on a trip to Everest base camp with friends. We also had a Nepalese guide. During that trip we also got the opportunity to visit many villages. I found the area beautiful. I found Nepali people to be very respectful. We were tired from the journey but the love and hospitality we received there made all that tiredness disappear. I have also traveled outside Kathmandu to Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan, Nepali people are really nice.

How do you like Nepal's climate?

The climate here is diverse. Since we are in the southern part of the sub-continent, the temperature is a bit cooler. But talking about Kathmandu Valley, it is very good in terms of climate. It is neither too hot nor too cold here. I think the climate here is fine. I lived in Pakistan for 4 years before coming to Nepal in 2022. I also lived in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. The climate of Kathmandu felt like that of Islamabad, a pleasant climate. Both cities are not too cold in winter and not too hot in summer. Rainy season makes summer time cool.

How much Nepali food have you tasted? Your favorite Nepali food?

When I started tasting Nepali food, it also resembled Pakistan. I was already familiar with the taste and names of some foods. For example, chicken biryani, tikka masala, thali etc . However, the taste of these foods is different here. I discovered other new foods. The sub-continent also has similar cuisines to India. But Nepal has its own name and taste in related food. Newari food and me: I thought it was great. Vegetables have a distinct taste here. What I like the most is the taste of fresh fish. It is not that fish cannot be found in other places, but the taste of Nepali fresh fish is amazing.

How do you find Nepali behavior?

The behavior of the Nepalis was also strange. Urdu words are also similar to Nepali. A surprising thing is that when I went to Pakistan, I thought that people there are not very open. However, unlike what I expected, I saw that they spoke openly at the beginning. I found them to speak openly like the Spaniards. Here in Nepal, I found that Nepali people are a bit reserved in the beginning and open up only after a while when they trust each other.

What do you think of Nepali festivals? Have you celebrated any festivals here?

I love all Nepali festivals. After knowing about one festival, it is interesting to be curious about another. Nepal as a whole is a multicultural country. I find that festivals here are distinguished and attractive because of tika, temples, lights, candles. I celebrate all the festivals here. I also like to read his historical background about the festival. All the festivals celebrated here have come according to tradition. For example, these festivals have come according to Hindu, Buddhist, Newari and other traditions. I also studied how these festivals came here, why they are different from India, why Dasain Tihar is celebrated in Nepal.

Do you like to speak Nepali language?

I can't speak Nepali language. I love to read Nepali language. But busy work is making it difficult. A few words come to speak but that is not enough. I feel like saying 'fast fast' in Nepali language. Because everything has to be done quickly here. In order to read the language, it is necessary to know the grammar well. I read about Sanskrit and Urdu languages. Before knowing a language, it is important to know its history. I find reading about the history behind languages ​​very exciting.

How often do you listen to Nepali music?

I don't know much about Nepali music. But I will have to find out about that. Some programs play traditional music, which I like a lot. I know how the music industry has spread in Nepal. Here are some famous singers. I also follow some Nepali singers on social media. But I don't know about the Nepali music industry in detail.

How much do you know about Nepali literature and history?

knows a lot about Nepali history. When coming to work here as a foreigner, it is important to know the history here. What is the history of Nepal? How has Nepal progressed? It should also be looked at regionally. It is also important to know about modern history. It is more important to know about the people and the community here. It helps us carry out our responsibilities. Overall I like history a lot. I like Nepali history very much.

How many Nepali films have you watched?

I haven't seen a Nepali film. However, I have watched a lot of short videos made about Nepal. I know about the Nepali film industry and the good films being made here.

How far have you traveled in Nepal? Any places here that you like?

I love to travel. I have reached Everest base camp so far. During the journey one has to go up from Lukla passing through many villages. I have been to Pokhara many times. I have visited Chitwan. I have reached Lumbini. I have visited various places including Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot. I go hiking every week. Shivpuri is my favorite place. I have climbed all the hills around Kathmandu valley. I have stepped on all the hills of the valley including Phulchoki, Champadevi, Jamacho. Every weekend I like to go hiking in different places. Last Saturday, I walked from here to Nagarkot. We walked from Bhaktapur and stayed in Nagarkot. The next day we walked from there to Dhulikhel and from there we returned by car. During the journey, I saw the houses and farms of the locals on the way. Also saw buffaloes tied up in the barn. Which was also very fun. I also play golf. I love to play golf in Nepal. I try to play every Sunday as much as possible. Golf can be played all year round in Nepal, which cannot be played in winter in Europe and America. Nepal can also promote golf in the field of tourism.

How did you feel about Nepali art and culture?

The best part of Nepal is its diversity. Due to the geography here, there are places like North, South, Valley etc. On the other hand, there are also diverse castes and cultures. Nepal is culturally rich. Being a multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic community, it is certainly not easy to integrate everyone's ideas. There needs to be a democratic consensus among them. The national anthem of Nepal has also clearly spoken about it. We belong to different communities but we should live together peacefully. So this diversity has come as both a challenge and an advantage. This is very interesting. Nepalis should protect their diversity while protecting their identity. It is very inspiring.

What kind of work is the IMF doing in Nepal?

IMF is implementing a three-year program in Nepal through the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The total budget of this program is 400 million US dollars. Its job is to assist the relevant agencies of the Government of Nepal in implementing the programs supported by the IMF. The purpose of this program is to improve the concept of policy making in Nepal and make it more effective, making the country stronger and able to work when needed. Three main tasks are being carried out under this program: first - financial policy, second budget policy and third effective regulation of the financial sector. We are working to make everything transparent, to help Nepal learn international best practices, to stand up as a country that can compete internationally, and to help foreign investors enter Nepal.