New Zealand will increase its funding from 2009 onwards to Himalayan Trust established in memory of late Sir Edmond Hillary, so that the Trust could continue to support schools, health clinics and other important development works.

Receiving Letter of Credence from Yogendra Dhakal as the first Ambassador of Nepal to be accredited to New Zealand from Canberra, the Governor General of that country said that it was an important day in the history of New Zealand-Nepal relationship, which, he said, was one of warmth and friendship, a statement by embassy reads.

Stating that late Sir Edmund Hillary was truly a son of both countries, the Governor General said the New Zealand government has increased its funding from 2009 onwards for the work of the Himalayan Trust so that the Trust could continue to support schools, health clinics and other important social development works.

He further said that New Zealand has most recently established a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship to facilitate visit to New Zealand by people including from Nepal who have the potential to become leaders or people of influence in parliamentary, academic, business, cultural or other fields.

He expressed hope that economic partnership could be revitalized in the area of hand woven Nepali carpets.

Presenting the Letters of Credence Dhakal expressed satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations between the two countries and underscored the importance for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in the areas of trade, tourism, investment, education and employment.

Appreciating contribution made by late Hillary in making Nepal known to the world, Dhakal said that the government and people of Nepal deeply cherished his contribution also in the socio-economic development and environmental preservation in the Everest region.

Dhakal, Ambassador of Nepal to New Zealand, with residence in Canberra, presented the Letters of Credence to Anand Satyanand, Governor General of New Zealand at a credential ceremony held at the Government House in Wellington Monday.