Non-Resident Nepali Association Welcomes Government Budget Policies for Diaspora and Migrant Workers

Kathmandu. The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has welcomed the various policy arrangements made by the Government of Nepal for the diaspora and migrant workers through the budget for the fiscal year 2083/84. The association has expressed gratitude to the government, interpreting the budget as a 'historic and positive' step.  

In a statement issued by the association's spokesperson Somnath Sapkota on Friday, it is mentioned that the government's announcement to amend the constitutional provision of "Non-Resident Nepali Citizenship" and give substance to the slogan "Once a Nepali, Always a Nepali" has brought joy to Nepalis worldwide.  

The association believes that this arrangement has opened the door for non-resident Nepalis to be directly included in the main campaign of nation-building by providing them with all kinds of economic, social, and cultural rights.

The association considers the inclusion of economic agendas in the budget, such as enabling non-resident Nepalis to participate in the secondary market of securities (shares) in Nepal, issuing diaspora bonds and clean energy bonds, and encouraging co-investment in the startup sector, as significant achievements.  

Similarly, the announcement to prepare the necessary legal and technical infrastructure to involve Nepalis living abroad in the democratic process and ensure their voting rights has addressed a long-standing demand of the diaspora, the statement mentions.

The budget has also put forward significant reform plans in the field of foreign employment. The NRNA has welcomed the subjects of formally recognizing workers' skills, enrolling them in the social security fund, controlling labor exploitation, and promoting foreign employment at zero cost.

Especially, the announcement to give legal basis to 'remote work', which allows working for foreign employers while staying in Nepal, is believed to open avenues for the new generation of technical and skilled youth to utilize international opportunities while staying in their home country.

The government has pledged to automate the foreign investment approval process, simplify the process of repatriating profits, and introduce a new bill by making extensive reforms in the visa system to create an investment-friendly environment.

Likewise, the association stated that the plan to bring back Nepali researchers with international repute in the field of Artificial Intelligence by providing them with fellowships will greatly contribute to the country's technological development.

The association has thanked the Ministry of Finance and all concerned bodies for incorporating the issues of utilizing diaspora investment, knowledge, and skills, which the association has been raising, into the budget.

The association has strongly urged the government to move these announced policies and programs from paper to the implementation phase by enacting laws as soon as possible.