By Kamala Sarup

Kamala Sarup
As we enter into a new year, Nepalis living abroad—popularly known as NRNs (Non-Resident Nepalis) — are wishing for a peaceful and prosperous Nepal and are also discussing their own role to realise this vision.

The NRN movement is a new phenomenon and NRNs obviously cannot do a lot of things overnight. The NRN Act, as promised by the government, needs to be enacted immediately to streamline NRN investments. According to an estimate, Nepali Diaspora outside the SAARC region is over 1.2 million strong.

Chairman of Non Resident Nepalis (NRN) Association, Dr. Upendra Mahato, insists that despite the conflict situation and the absence of adequate legal provisions, NRN community is working hard to promote investments in Nepal.

India is a perfect example on how NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) have come together to help their economy move to the next level, he added.

The first Non-Resident Nepalis’ conference held in Kathmandu last year generated a greater awareness of NRN issues in Nepal. The conference also helped produce the draft NRN legislation, which addresses most of the issues being raised by the NRN community.

Dr. Upendra Mahato

“Although Nepali Diaspora has limited financial resources, being disciplined, honest and hard working community we can be optimistic about our prosperous future. At this initial stage we would like to concentrate more on creating a global network of Nepali Associations in various countries to streamline Diaspora’s limited resources and energy so as to make the Diaspora a catalyst of economic and social transformation of our motherland,” said Mahato.

In the annual budget speech for the year 2001/02, the Nepal government said it would take measures to encourage NRN investment into the country but nothing much has been achieved in the absence of a separate investment policy and conducive investment regulations for them.

NRN leaders say ‘investment’ is often wrongly understood only as financial investment. There are NRNs who have prospered in education, work in executive positions in prestigious organizations. The term ‘investment’ does not only imply money but also bringing in their intellectual and professional qualities and managerial skills to Nepal. The potential of such expertise resource is much higher than any direct financial investment in Nepal, argue NRN leaders.

“More than our financial contributions, at the moment the country needs our global exposure and experience,” said Mahato. In order to have a better idea of the extent of expertise the global NRNs possess, NRN Association has initiated collecting data to compile an NRN skills directory, he added. In addition to creating international pressure groups and providing moral support, NRNs as a group can also influence the outcome of peace talks in Nepal while many NRNs individually can lobby for Nepal’s peace and reconciliation with their connections and positions achieved in host countries.

Promises to Keep: NRN Conference in Kathmandu (File Photo)
But for Nepalis as well as the NRNs, the prospect of a renewal of Maoist insurgency is extremely worrying. Hence, restoring peace is not only of paramount importance to the Nepalis, but also a prerequisite to bring investment from the NRN community and foreign investors into the country. It is very encouraging to note that the Nepal government is working on to promulgate an NRN Ordinance to facilitate NRN investment into the country. The International Coordination Council (ICC)’s meeting due in Doha later this month (January 21-23) is to focus on the promulgation and implementation of the NRN ordinance, according to organizers.

This ordinance will not only define the concept of NRN and People of Nepali Origin (PON), but also incorporate provisions for a 10-yearvisa, right to own property and other investment opportunities.

The ICC also has plans for the laying down of the foundation stone for Devghat Briddhashram in February and completing the first phase (50-bed building) by October, 2005.

This project is being financed by donations from the NRNs and more than$20,000 have already been collected.