Good beginning indeed!

Better late than never, the Nepal government appears now to have realized the need of bringing in home the expertise that the non resident Nepalese residing in different countries of the world possess. Now that the government is all set to assure the NRNs of its full fledged support for their possible investment in the development of Nepal, what could be hoped is that the NRNs too would sense the gravity of the prevailing situation of their own motherland and feel comfortable in investing their money and expertise for the development of this country where they themselves took birth. What is more than reassuring is that the NRNs too have voiced their concern for the deteriorating politics and the sliding economy of the country and have concurrently expressed their willingness to help-support Nepal in whatever modest manner they can by pumping in their earnings made while being out of their motherland. It is a welcome sign which bodes well for the ailing economy of the nation. However, there are some constraints indeed.

The investors, albeit the people of Nepali origin, wish facilities that allows them to work while being in Nepal freely and uninterruptedly and without bureaucratic hassles which is in abundance in this country. They wish certain amendments to be effected in the existing laws of the land that guarantees the money thus earned in Nepal to be taken back to the lands where the investors now reside. The government has assured them of all the possible helps. But the fact is that our leaders are corrupt. The fact is also that our bureaucrats are declared number one corrupt in the world. They know how to twist the arms of the investors and in doing so they grab money. The fact is also that Nepali politics has deteriorated to the extent that no sane person would wish to invest his or her money in this problem ridden Kingdom. On top of that the Maoists issue awaits amicable resolution.

Given the bad politics and given the not very comfortable situation of the country security wise, it becomes really very hard to expect a sizeable chunk of money to come its way as has been expressed by the would-be investors of the Nepali origin. If they really wish to come even in such a situation then what could be guessed in advance is that it should be their in-born love and respect for their own homeland that they wish to take a risk and invest here.

With politics bad and security situation an all time low, not much could be hoped even if billions of rupees pour in this country. What is clear is that unless the politics gets corrected and unless the Maoists issue sorted out for good, no development efforts could be initiated and thus the country is bound to remain as it is.

Still, the enthusiasm with which the non-resident Nepalese have come to Kathmandu bodes well for the overall development of the country. Their presence in Kathmandu in good numbers does speak that they wish to invest in this country. Good omen indeed. Neighboring India could be a good example on how she has attracted the attention of its non resident Indians in the development of India. The Nepalese authorities seated in Sigh Durbar and at the National Planning Commission could learn much from the Indian example. However, the authorities here should take care at time of the investment that is yet in its embryonic stage. Building roads, transport system and Information Technology plus expanding the tourism facilities could be some of the areas where the NRNs could invest their money.

Finally, talking and meeting and meeting again and again will not yield positive results. It’s time to work. But the million-dollar question remains, will the NRNs invest their hard-earned currency given the Maoists insurgency remaining intact?

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