New climate change policy in Nepal, and other news (3 January 2020)

Each week we highlight some of the international development stories from across the globe that have caught our attention:

• The Government of Nepal has issued a new National Climate Change Policy to provide policy guidance for developing a climate resilient society, and reducing the impact of climate change. The policy highlights the impact of climate change on the national economy and the need to prioritise climate change programmes relating to agriculture and food security, water and energy resources, and disaster risk reduction and management, amongst others. Read more in the Himalayan Times.

• Japan has announced a $3.6 million project to be launched in Myanmar in May to boost irrigation and agricultural management practices. The four year project is aimed at improving management skills of farmers and increasing income, contributing to greater efforts to eradicate poverty in Myanmar. Read more in Kyodo News.

• The National Economic and Development Authority in the Philippines has approved a P59.3 billion project to link rail services in Manila with neighboring municipalities. Funded by the Asian Development Bank, the project aims to improve transport facilities in an area where traffic conditions and road capacities are poor. Read more in PhilStar.

• $30 million is to be given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout Africa by the French Development Agency. The loans are estimated to benefit almost 2000 SMEs, supporting over 5000 jobs. Read more in IPP Media.

• Micro-enterprises in Pakistan saw an average growth of at least 25 percent growth in revenue last year, according to a study funded by DFID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The scale of growth varies considerably in different economic sectors, however, with the greatest increase being seen in trading and manufacturing sectors. Read more in The News (Pakistan).