सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Kathmandu. President Ram Chandra Poudel, addressing the 11th World Conference of NRNA that began in Kathmandu on Tuesday, urged the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) to utilize the immense investment potential in Nepal.
##Inaugurating the World Conference that began with the slogan ‘Knowledge and Transformation, the Basis of Prosperity’, President Ram Chandra Poudel mentioned the important role of NRNA in uniting Nepalis scattered around the world. He said that no matter where one is in the world, one is a Nepali.
##Says that the country has been slow to take the path of economic prosperity after the political change, adding that the issue of economic prosperity has been neglected due to the long period of transition. He said that despite the administrative restructuring, the governance style has not changed yet.
#“There is great potential for investment in tourism, infrastructure, information and communication sectors for economic prosperity in Nepal,” said President Poudel, “There is a big market in our neighborhood. Utilize the immense investment potential in Nepal.”
President Poudel says that the knowledge, skills, capital and technology of Nepalis living abroad, along with multilateral partnerships, will be important in building the necessary infrastructure for economic development. President Poudel mentioned that remittances have played an important role in Nepal’s economy and have helped maintain the balance of payments.
#”Only if Nepal’s internal capacity can be developed will Nepalis be respected abroad,” he said. “Until Nepal is prosperous, Nepalis cannot hold their heads high abroad.” It is everyone’s duty to establish the unique identity of Nepal and Nepalis abroad.”
##Noting that the government is ready to formulate policies and laws to facilitate investment in Nepal, Nepal is unique in nature and culture, he urged the Nepali diaspora to bring the new generation to Nepal from time to time as their descendants tend to forget the language and culture.
##On the occasion, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud outlined the goal of Nepal’s economic prosperity. He urged non-resident Nepalis to complete the process. “There is a lack of resources for investment in Nepal,” he said, “The government will provide you with concessions when investing in Nepal.” He also said that non-resident Nepalis will be given economic, social, and cultural citizenship.
##Noting that the government wants to join hands to establish access to the global market for Nepalese goods and services, he said that the ‘diaspora’ needs to move forward strongly for knowledge transfer, youth mobilization, and women empowerment. Foreign Minister Saud mentioned that every Nepali living abroad will be an honorary ambassador for Nepal.
##Federation of Nepal Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Chandra Prasad Dhakal urged non-resident Nepalis to invest in Nepal’s projects. “If there are old and complicated policy and legal structures for investing in Nepal, let’s revise them. Let’s explore the possibilities and create an environment for job creation in Nepal,” he said.
##UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal Hana Singer Hamdi said remittances play a major role in building Nepal’s local economy and suggested that non-resident Nepalis invest more in the country to meet Nepal’s development needs.
##NRNA founding president Upendra Mahato said that remittances are the key to Nepal’s economic development and prosperity. He expressed the view that only when the citizens of the country come together, they will get help and support from abroad. “There is a lack of determination to build the country. Although we have sufficient capacity, we have failed to use it in Nepal. The country will not prosper until the citizens themselves come together to build the country,” Mahato said.
##Executive Chairman Dr. Badri KC mentioned that there are some problems of Nepalis living abroad and said that such problems can be solved in coordination with the government. He mentioned that 30,000 Nepali citizens are working in Iraq, a country where there is no labor agreement, and that female workers are going to Kuwait illegally.
##He said that while there were legal obstacles to investing in Nepal in the past years, it is now becoming easier. Now that a joint venture company between the government and non-resident Nepalis has been established, it is expected to attract large investments from Nepalis living abroad.
##Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA ICC) President Rabina Thapa said that there is a need for early initiatives to connect Nepalis living abroad with their homeland. NRNA President Kul Acharya thanked the government for making arrangements for non-resident Nepali citizenship and social security funds and also urged for ensuring voting rights.
##Pointing out that Nepalis scattered around the world can become true partners in development, President Acharya also urged them not to sell Nepali soil and accumulate assets abroad.
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