Kathmandu, March 14 - Government officials, economic experts, and private sector leaders have emphasized the importance of creating a reliable and investment-friendly environment to attract capital, technology, and expertise from Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs), during the first session of the 12th General Convention and Global Conference of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) in Kathmandu.
Speaking as the keynote speaker in the session titled “Roadmap to Investment for Enhancing Nepal’s Future Economy,” Sushil Gyawali, Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board Nepal, said Nepal still faces a “trust gap” that discourages investment. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts among the government, the diaspora, and the private sector to build investor confidence.
Gyawali noted that policy reforms and amendments to existing laws are necessary to remove barriers faced by foreign and diaspora investors. He also highlighted unresolved issues related to the participation of NRNs in the capital market, including challenges surrounding Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). According to him, the Investment Board is prepared to facilitate discussions and solutions to ease such challenges.
“Investors should bring their ideas, capital, and technology proposals to the Investment Board. We are ready to move forward and are also considering formal cooperation with NRNA,” Gyawali said, adding that focal persons have been designated in 14 government agencies to support investment facilitation.
Economic experts also stressed the need to strengthen institutional and policy frameworks. Ram Sharan Kharel, Executive Director of the Research Department at the Nepal Rastra Bank, said emotional ties alone cannot drive investment from the Nepali diaspora. Instead, investors require a stable policy environment, secure markets, and transparency.
Kharel suggested that the government should provide targeted incentives and special facilities to NRNs. He recalled how countries such as China and India successfully mobilized diaspora capital during their early development phases. According to him, Nepal should similarly leverage the professional skills, technology, and global networks of its diaspora, particularly in sectors such as information technology, industrial exports, and innovation.
Private sector leaders echoed similar views during the session. Representatives from the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries highlighted the importance of policy stability, institutional coordination, and partnership between domestic entrepreneurs and overseas Nepalis.
President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, said Nepal holds strong potential in sectors such as hydropower, tourism, and technology. He urged diaspora entrepreneurs to invest a portion of their overseas earnings in Nepal’s emerging industries.
Similarly, Vice President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Hemraj Dhakal, said diaspora investment will become increasingly important as Nepal prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026, which may lead to a decline in foreign aid.
NRNA’s founding president Upendra Mahato also called for clearer policies and faster implementation of constitutional provisions related to Non-Resident Nepali citizenship and investment rights. He stressed that diaspora contributions go beyond financial capital and include knowledge, skills, and technological expertise.
Former NRNA President R.K. Sharma highlighted the potential to channel remittance flows into productive sectors. According to him, large portions of remittance income are currently spent in unproductive areas, but improved financial literacy and investment mechanisms could redirect billions of rupees toward economic development.
Speakers at the conference also discussed potential investment opportunities in areas such as data centers, tourism infrastructure, agriculture, and energy development. Several participants stressed that stronger collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the Nepali diaspora could play a key role in accelerating economic growth and achieving long-term prosperity.
The session concluded with presentations on potential investment projects, including a case study on coffee farming in Gulmi district, highlighting opportunities for diaspora participation in Nepal’s agricultural sector.
#NRNA #DiasporaInvestment #NepalEconomy #InvestmentInNepal #EconomicDevelopment #Hydropower #TourismInvestment #Remittance #NepalDevelopment #EcosphereNews
