IMRANA JALAL
Chair
The Inspection Panel




                                                                                    August 18, 2020


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

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

                       Second 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 was required to submit to the Board
     of Executive Directors its Report and Recommendation on July 29, 2020. On July 28, 2020,
     the Panel sought a postponement until August 24, 2020. This postponement was due to the
     COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions and the difficulty in conducting field verification
     for the purposes of the Panel’s eligibility assessment of the Request for Inspection and the
     related recommendation. At this stage, due to the lockdown in Nepal imposed by the pandemic,
     the Panel is still unable to conduct field verification through the adopted virtual format. This
     task will require 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 September 21, 2020. The Panel has consulted with Management and
     the Requesters on this matter.

     3.     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