KATHMANDU, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB)has agreed to provide over 8.24 billion Nepali rupees (some 105.6 U.S. dollars) of financial support to Nepal for the development of local bodies and communities.

    Representatives of the ADB and the Nepali Ministry of Finance signed the agreement of assistance in Kathmandu on Monday.

    According to the ADB, the main objectives of the assistance are poverty alleviation, elimination of social and gender discrimination, empowerment of the local authority and to attract active partners.

    The monetary aid, provided under ADB's sub-program of Ruling Support Cluster, will be utilized in civil and community empowerment, delegating authority and organizational development of communities, increasing capacity of local bodies, development activities and decentralization.

    The ADB has been helping Nepal reduce poverty and improve the life quality of people.