The Non-Resident Nepali Association ( NRNA ) on Friday said it will discuss its future investment and social agendas with major political parties to determine the course of the country’s economy. 

On the eve of the 6th NRN Global Conference and NRNA International Convention-2013, the umbrella organisation of the Nepali diaspora said it was high time it linked its agendas with the parties’ election manifestos. The four-day NRN conference and convention that will choose the organisation’s new leadership for a two-year term is set to begin here on Saturday. 

“The conference will dwell upon various issues like investment, streamlining foreign employment and continuation of citizenship, among others,” NRNA President Jiba Lamichhane told reporters.

With the theme “NRNs and Nepal: Partners in Prosperity,” the organisation said it will develop a new strategy to increase its charity in different sectors and ideas to combat the ‘tough times.’ “The conference will also discuss students’ issues, which has remained out of the NRNA agenda until now.” 

The NRNA said it will not seek financial support from the government to hold the convention this year. The government had been supporting the conference earlier, while this fact had drawn criticism from different quarters.

On the social front, the NRNA said more than Rs 300 million has been spent on charity in the past two years. Though there have been individual investments from NRNs in the hydropower, media, telecommunications and tourism sectors, the NRNA lacks an investment pool. According to NRNA spokesperson Hem Raj Sharma, a hydropower developer company promoted by the organisation is currently working on the Dordi Khola Hydropower Project (27 MW) in Lamjung. 

The NRNA was established in 2003 with a view to encouraging NRNs to contribute to the country’s economic and social development. More than 65 countries are included in the NRN network.

“The NRNA movement has reached its 10th year and it needs to make more progress,” said Upendra Mahato, founder president and patron of the organisation.  Amid concerns that NRNs have not done much for the development of the country, Mahato said the movement has gathered momentum in the last 10 years. He said time has come for the NRNs to contribute to the country to the fullest, either in the social or the economic sector. 

Vice-presidents of the organisation Rameshwor Shah and Hitman Gurung, General Secretary Tenzi Sherpa, and patron Ram Pratap Thapa and Australian millionaire Shesh Ghale are in the race for the NRNA presidency. Although the election fever for the executive committee and the presidency has gripped the organisation, sources said the president is likely to be elected through consensus.

 Published on: 19 October 2013 | The Kathmandu Post