NRNA President Urges Prioritizing Remittances and Skills for National Development at Kathmandu Convention

The 12th General Convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has commenced in Kathmandu. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the convention, which will run until Chaitra 2, President Mahesh Shrestha stated that the state must prioritize the capital and skills of Nepalis living abroad for the country's development.

Addressing the ceremony, Shrestha emphasized the need to change the traditional mindset that Nepal only exists within its borders. "Currently, one-third of Nepalis are outside the country, which means there is another Nepal outside Nepal," he said. "The state must formulate policies, regulations, and budget allocations by considering that 'other Nepal' outside the country as well."

He stated that the main role of the NRNA is to connect the Nepal within Nepal and the Nepal outside Nepal. Shrestha presented data showing that the annual income of approximately 8 million Nepalis abroad exceeds 2 trillion in foreign currency, asserting that this immense resource must be utilized for Nepal's development. He stressed that while Nepal faces a shortage of resources on one hand, Nepalis abroad possess immense potential, which must be utilized properly.

Mentioning that it is currently not easy to attract foreign investment into Nepal, he compared Nepal's current situation to China in the 1970s. He cited the example of China, which only attracted other foreign investors after the 1990s, following its initial success in bringing in capital, technology, and work culture through overseas Chinese people who were given concessions.

"Currently, foreign investors see investing in Nepal as extremely risky, but for Nepalis living abroad, it is not a risk because this is our own country," Shrestha said.

Keeping this reality in mind, he urged policymakers to view 'foreign investment' and 'investment by Non-Resident Nepalis' differently and create separate policies for them. Claiming that Nepal's development in the current context is only possible through the investment of Non-Resident Nepalis, Shrestha made a special request to the government to properly utilize the potential and resources of Nepalis living abroad.

The convention will conclude with the election of new leadership.