The second global conference of the Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) is to kick off in the Nepali capital, Kathmandu, on Friday.

Crown Prince Paras is scheduled to inaugurate the conference amid a ceremony at the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) at New Baneswore Friday morning.

Over 350 representatives from 35 countries have already arrived or are still arriving to take part in the conference that is taking place under the broad theme—For Nepali, By Nepali, the organizers said.

They said the conference will discuss the recently promulgated NRN ordinance and other issues that would help invite skills, expertise and investment from the worldwide NRN community into Nepal.

The convention will also finalize plans for a Nepal investment fund worth a hundred million dollars to be set up under the auspices of the NRN Association.

Meanwhile, critics said the NRN Association is solely focusing on economic and investment issues only at a time when Nepalis residing around the world have made their voices heard in favour of restoration of democracy and peace in the country.

Referring to the opening up of Nepalese economy since the restoration of democracy in 1990, they said the conference should rally around the cause of democracy in Nepal as business and economy could not thrive in the absence of democracy, peace and rule of law.