Australian Ambassador HE Glenn White on Monday congratulated 21 officers who will be participating in Australia Awards short course on The Role of Government in Private Sector Development.

Nineteen officers representing the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development and two officers of the Micro-Enterprise Development Programme will be participating in the 12-day course from August 4-19 the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia from August 4-19, the Embassy of Australia said in a statement.

“The course will equip officers to attract private service providers to the government of Nepal’s Micro Enterprise Development Programme for Poverty Alleviation through coaching and exposure to similar practices in Australia,” said the embassy. “The private sector plays a pivotal role in economic development at the grass roots—one of the key priority areas where the Australian and Nepal governments are in partnership.”

Speaking at an event organised to congratulate the officers participating in the course, Ambassador White said: “This training will help participants recognise the role of government in encouraging an environment where the private sector can deliver support to micro-entrepreneurs.”