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NRN conference concludes pledging to set up $100 m Nepal Investment Fund

The 3rd NRN Global Conference concluded Wednesday evening by issuing a 15-point Kathmandu Declaration.

The declaration, which vows to usher Nepal into the path of prosperity, was jointly signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahana Pradhan, president of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandi Raj Dhakal and newly elected president of NRN Association Dr. Upendra Mahato.

The declaration mainly focuses on strategies to achieve the goal of making Nepal a prosperous country and also shows solidarity to the aspiration of Nepali people for changes. For this, it has promise to set up a $ 100 million ‘Nepal Investment Fund’ within a year of registration of NRNA as an institution.

“Attempts will be made to explore new avenues to widen employment opportunities in developed countries to further strengthen the role of remittance in national economy as well as making maximum utilisation of expertise gained by NRNs, in the days ahead,” the declaration stated.

In the declaration the global conference has also appreciated the positive attitude shown by leaders of different political parties including the prime minister toward their demand of dual citizenship.

"Joint efforts will be made to further amend the existing NRN act incorporating suggestions put forward by NRNs during the conference" the declaration further said.

It also proposed that Nepali students, who have stayed abroad for over 182 days to acquire knowledge and skill which could be useful for Nepal, also be recognised as NRNs.

Expressing the conviction that the election of Constituent Assembly (CA) should be held at the earliest, the declaration has also assured to make efforts to secure the voting rights in the election.

For the welfare of Nepalis working in foreign land the declaration also vowed to establish a welfare fund and lobby for opening diplomatic missions in countries where the numbers of Nepali are increasing.

“Being the people’s ambassadors, NRNs will work towards solving the problems facing the Nepalis abroad,” it stated. Voting rights, utilisation of skills and knowledge of the NRNs, promotion of economic diplomacy, preservation of Nepali culture and promotion of tourism are some of the points stressed in the declaration.

"In line with the concept of economic diplomacy, Nepali diplomatic missions will be mobilised effectively to promote foreign employment, investment, tourism and Nepali goods in foreign lands," said the declaration.

Some 500 NRN representatives from over 40 countries participated in the conference which unanimously elected Dr Upendra Mahato as the NRNA president for the third consecutive term.

Likewise, Dev Man Hirachan and Ram Pratap Thapa have been elected unopposed as vice presidents. Bhim Udas, Sagar Nepal and Pritam Shrestha have been elected general secretary, secretary and treasurer respectively. Indra Ban, Ganesh Kumar Ijam, Chandra Prasad Sapkota, Chiranjibi Dhakal and Naresh Koirala have been selected as regional coordinators. Dipak Kumar Khadka, Chola Prasad Pathak, Janaki Gurung, Rajendra Shrestha and Rudra Sharma have been chosen deputy regional coordinators.

All members of the executive body, except the deputy regional coordinator for Asia-Pacific, were elected unanimously. nepalnews.com ag Oct 18 07