IMRANA JALAL
Chair
The Inspection Panel


                                                                               IPN Request RQ 20/01

                                                                                          July 28, 2020


                  MEMORANDUM TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND ALTERNATES
                     OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

                   NEPAL: Nepal-India Regional Trade and Transport Project (P144335)

                            Request for Postponement of the Inspection Panel
                                      Report and Recommendation


          1.     On April 25, 2020, the Inspection Panel received a Request for Inspection related to
          the Nepal-India Regional Trade and Transport Project in Nepal and registered it on May 27,
          2020. The Panel received the Management Response to this Request on June 26, 2020.

          2.      According to its Resolution, the Inspection Panel would be required to submit to the
          Board of Executive Directors its Report and Recommendation on July 29, 2020. The Panel
          is seeking a postponement for the reasons described below.

          3.      In accordance with the Panel Resolution, at this stage of the process the Panel makes
          a recommendation on whether an investigation is warranted. The Panel prepares its
          recommendation based on the information in the Request, Management Response and other
          relevant documentation. At this stage, the Panel normally also conducts a field visit and
          meets with staff in the Bank’s Country Office, the Government and the Requesters. Due to
          COVID-19 and related restrictions, the Panel is not able to conduct its field visit at this time
          and is therefore adopting a virtual format, which requires additional time to be completed.
          The Panel therefore requests the Board to approve a postponement of the deadline for
          completion of the Inspection Panel Report and Recommendation until August 24, 2020 (the
          first working day after the Board recess). The Panel has consulted with Management and
          the Requesters on this matter.

          4.     Consistent with prior similar recommendations approved by the Board, in the
          absence of objection by the Board of Executive Directors, the Panel will advise the
          Requesters and Management accordingly.

                                                    Sincerely,




                                   1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20433