Government to partner with NPI in framing development policies

The government is going to partner with the Non Resident Nepali (NRN) for the development of the country.
Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali – addressing plenary session on the ‘Diaspora’s Role in Development Policies of Nepal’ during the first NRN Global Knowledge Convention here in the capital – today said that the government has taken Nepal Policy Institute (NPI) as a partner for the development. NPI is a newly established think-tank of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).
The government is ready to engage NPI in its policy discourse, he said, suggesting NPI to audit Nepal’s existing public policies on the basis of best practices in the world and recommend alternative policies. "The country is in the process of transformation and relevant policies were the need of the hour."
NPI chair Khagendra Dhakal, on the occasion, said that since the 1990s the Nepali diasporas had played a key role in development of the country. "Many things, which are not possible to do living away from the motherland, have become possible now due to the ICT facilities and advanced modes of connectivity," he said, adding that China’s policy of engaging the diaspora had shifted from ‘Return and Serve Motherland’ to ‘Serve the Motherland."
Likewise, vice chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr Puspa Raj Kadel on the occasion, expressed willingness to collaborate with NRN think tank.
In the plenary session, Sharad Neupane presented NPI’s Strategic Plan (2019-2021), which focuses on policy research on migration, remittance, social security, research-based education and SDGs.
Krishna Adhikari from Oxford University and Yubaraj Pokhrel from South Asian University of Delhi also shed light on how diaspora scholars could contribute to the development of Nepal in the true sense.
Senior economist Madan Kumar Dahal, social leader Sharu Joshi Shrestha and NRNA president Bhaban Bhatta commented on the plenary speeches as panel members.

PM Oli urges NRNs to raise investment in Nepal

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today asked the Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) to increase their investment in Nepal.
Addressing the first ‘Global Knowledge Convention 2018’ organised by Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) here in the capital, he said that Nepal is in dire need of both investment and expertise of NRNs.
Urged them to inject their investment and expertise for the development of Nepal, he reminded NRNs that Nepal is their country and the country needs their support in every aspect, including the development process.
"The investment environment in Nepal has improved a lot recently," Oli said, assuring that the current government will facilitate NRNs’ investment in Nepal. "NRNs are one of the important stakeholders for country’s development process and the road to prosperity."
The prime minister also assured NRNs that the government will introduce investment-friendly policies and amend existing business-related polices.
Speaking at the occasion, president of NRNA Bhaban Bhatta said that NRNs are keen to work closely with the government and be an integral part of Nepal’s road to prosperity. "Entrepreneurship development is a crucial aspect for a country to progress," he said, adding NRNs will also help the government to achieve its development and economic goals by injecting investment and sharing their expertise.
The three-day convention intends to bring together Nepali expertise scattered around the world and discuss possible measures for Nepal’s growth, development and prosperity.