President Paudel urges NRNs to invest in Nepal

By A Staff Reporter 

Kathmandu, Apr. 7:  President Ramchandra Paudel has urged Nepalis scattered across the world to make the most of Nepal’s vast investment potential in the current context and to also encourage investors in their countries of residence to invest in Nepal.

President Paudel made this appeal during a meeting with the newly elected office-bearers of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, on Monday.

“Only by enhancing Nepal’s internal capacity and achieving rapid economic development can the dignity of Nepalis living abroad be elevated. Until Nepal becomes prosperous, the prestige of Nepalis cannot improve,” he said. 

He expressed confidence that they would play a more effective role in steering the country towards good governance, development and prosperity, and in enhancing Nepal’s standing in the international arena.

He further said that Nepal has significant investment potential in sectors such as hydropower, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, information and communication, education and health. 

At the same time, he pointed out that Nepal is situated close to and has access to vast markets like India and China, which have some of the largest populations in the world. 

In such a context, he stressed that Nepal should focus on developing the necessary infrastructure, industrialisation and domestic production required for economic growth.

“For this, multi-stakeholder partnerships are essential. Your capital, knowledge, skills, experience, investment and entrepreneurship can prove to be relevant and useful,” President Paudel said.He acknowledged that the investments made by non-resident Nepalis, both individually and collectively, in various sectors in the past have contributed to Nepal’s development and prosperity. 

He also urged that this support be made even more effective in the days ahead.

He remarked that the recently concluded House of Representatives election has provided a way out of the country’s difficult and complex situation. 

“In line with the aspirations of the Nepali people, especially the youth, the electorate has given a mandate to move forward towards development and prosperity with social justice through good governance,” he said.

President Paudel stated that while the state’s administrative restructuring has been carried out, the restructuring of the state’s 

character and way of life is still pending. 

He emphasised that unless the core values, principles and ideals of the federal democratic republic are fully internalised, it will be difficult to achieve the kind of prosperity with social justice that the Nepali people desire. 

“Therefore, there is a need for all of us today to embrace those values, principles and ideals and move forward,” he added.

He also mentioned that work has been progressing on a master plan to develop Chundi Ramgha, the birthplace of Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya, as a literary tourist destination, expressing confidence that the NRNA would extend its support to this initiative.

Congratulating the newly elected President, office-bearers and all members elected from the recently concluded NRNA Global Conference, he expressed his best wishes for the committee to successfully unite all non-resident Nepalis around the world and foster a sense that the organisation belongs to everyone.

On the occasion, newly elected NRNA President Dr. Hemraj Sharma briefed the President on the association’s activities and future plans.