April 12: Nepalese Army has informed that China is willing to supply medical equipment as well as medicines while India is interested in supplying only medicines to help Nepal fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The Nepalese Army had been entrusted by the government to bring in medicines and equipment under G2G model to handle the cases of coronavirus.

In this regard, the army had corresponded with five countries for the supplies. It had sent letters to the governments of China, India, Singapore, South Korea and Israel through the military attaches at the embassies in the respective countries for the supply of medical kits and medicines.

In response, India said on Friday that it can send only medicines at present. India said that it is unable to send medical equipment and kits as the country itself is facing problems of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, China has agreed to supply both medicines and medical equipment to Nepal, informed army spokesperson Bigyan Dev Pandey. He further said that the two countries are willing to supply medicines and equipment as per the demand of Nepal.

South Korea has also provided the name of the name of the supplier company but not the details. Brigadier General Panedy informed New Business Age that the quotation provided by the countries will be presented to the government and the Council of Ministers will release the budget accordingly.

A cabinet meeting on March 29 had decided to entrust the Nepalese Army to purchase medical supplies through G2G agreements after the government’s initial bid to bring the supplies through a private company drew widespread criticism for alleged financial irregularities.

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