United Nepali Diaspora Organization Submits Suggestions on Non-Resident Nepali Law

Kathmandu. United Nepali Diaspora Organization has submitted suggestions to the government to amend and revise the proposed Non-Resident (Diaspora/Expatriate) Nepali Law Bill, 2083. The organization’s chairman Sonam Lama informed that a detailed suggestion letter including legal points, amendments, and additional proposals to be included in the bill has been submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chairman Lama also informed that during a meeting with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, some individuals from Non-Resident Nepali associations objected to negative propaganda about policies and regulations that the government has not even formulated. ‘The government is ready to solve the problems of genuine Non-Resident Nepalis,’ Chairman Lama quoted Foreign Minister Khanal as saying, ‘We will work in the same model as how different countries in the world address their NRIs.’ Foreign Minister also asked the United Nepali Diaspora Organization to provide suggestions on the models of rights and facilities given to their NRIs by foreign countries. Chairman Lama also informed that they are also studying how different countries in the world provide facilities and create convenience based on the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will provide suggestions to the government. The organization has mentioned the need to legally and practically connect the skills, knowledge, and capital of the Nepali diaspora worldwide with the overall development of Nepal. Emphasis has been placed on enacting laws with the objective of further strengthening the relationship of Nepalis living abroad with Nepal. The memorandum states that the United Nepali Diaspora Organization was established in 2022 and is operating as an independent, non-profit, non-political, and non-governmental organization officially registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Nepal. It has been stated that the Non-Resident Nepali Association registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nepali Diaspora Organization are independent organizations with different legal statuses. It is expressed that the government will seriously consider the amendment proposals submitted by them for the protection of the fundamental and constitutional rights of millions of Nepalis living abroad and include them in the law-making process. Furthermore, Lama informed that this organization is soon establishing an investment company to bring investment into various sectors of Nepal. Members associated with the diaspora will be able to invest collectively through this company. It is believed that this investment will provide some support in developing Nepal’s tourism, agriculture, and overall economic sector in the near future.