Interim Foreign Minister Sharma: Non-Resident Nepalis are Key Partners in National Development

Interim Government's Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma has stated that the government recognizes Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) as crucial partners in Nepal's overall development. Speaking at the 12th General Convention of the NRNA, Minister Sharma described Nepalis living abroad as 'Nepali cultural ambassadors' and 'living contact points.' He emphasized the need to utilize their skills and capital for Nepal's transformation. He asserted that the experience, skills, international contact network, and capital held by NRNs are significant resources for Nepal's industrial development, technology transfer, and job creation. Minister Sharma stated that the role of the diaspora community must be elevated beyond traditional thinking to be broad and visionary in the current era. He mentioned that achieving this goal requires strong collaboration between the Government of Nepal, the private sector, and the Non-Resident Nepali community, along with transparent, investment-friendly policy reforms, and increased mutual trust. He said, 'The Constitution of Nepal, plans, and other sectoral laws recognize Non-Resident Nepalis as partners in the overall development of the nation. The role of everyone here is not only important in the development of our country, but there is also an equal need to enhance the sense of our shared national responsibility. The experience, skills, international contact network, and capital held by the Non-Resident Nepali community are and will remain important resources for Nepal's own development and transformation. I believe this will play a significant role in further contributing to industrial development, technology transfer, and job creation, bringing economic growth, development, and prosperity to Nepal. In today's world, it has become absolutely necessary to broaden and make visionary our thinking regarding the role of the diaspora community. We feel that the time has come to focus specifically on long-term investment, encouraging production-oriented industries, technology transfer, innovation, and the development of a knowledge-based economy. For this, it has been realized from this very platform that it is necessary for everyone to take initiative towards strengthening collaboration, transparent and investment-friendly policy reforms, mutual trust, and enhancing a long-term vision among the government, the private sector, and the Non-Resident Nepali community.' Highlighting that Nepal's constitution and plans already consider Non-Resident Nepalis as development partners, he reminded that contributing to the motherland's development is everyone's shared national responsibility. —News Agency Nepal