This paper focuses on Nepalese immigration to Belgium since the early 2000s, and in particular on a specific category of migrants who invest in local businesses. These Nepalese nationals are collectively integrated into Belgian society through their entrepreneurial life, by opening different types of businesses. Ethnographic data collected during research conducted since 2019 allow to describe and analyze the forms of social organization, gender relations as well as family structures of Nepalese migrant entrepreneurial communities. We will also focus our attention on the question of perpetuation or modification of traditional relations of domination within these Nepalese-run businesses in Belgium.
Migration and entrepreneurship of Nepalese in Belgium
In Belgium, several migratory waves from Asia, particularly from the SAARC countries, India, Pakistan and Nepal, have facilitated the emergence of diaspora communities. As opposed to migration from Maghreb countries, Sub-Saharan Africa or the Gulf countries, Asian migrants are not given much visibility and media exposure.
Many Nepalese who settle in Belgium aspire to open a business for several reasons: not to depend on an employer, to generate more profits than with salaried work, and also because the entrepreneurial spirit is culturally highly valued. Nepalese who start a business in Belgium do it mainly in one of these four sectors: local food shops open beyond supermarket opening hours (called Night shops or Pakis in Belgium because of the large number of Pakistanis who have opened this type of store), Asian restaurants, car washing stations or souvenir stores for tourists.
Nepalese migrant entrepreneurial communities
The people of Nepal in Belgium have established a variety of associations and meeting places such as Nepalese in Belgium, NRNA Belgium (Non-Resident Nepali Association), or BNFA (Belgium Nepal friendship association). NEBAB (Nepalese Businessmen’s Association in Belgium) gathers about 400 entrepreneurs of Nepalese origin. Very few, under five, are women.
Nevertheless, even if there are few businesses run by women, their functions and status are highly important because the businesses or restaurants are mostly run by the family.
Nebab’s mission is to provide information to Nepalese who are interested in establishing a business in Belgium. A team of volunteers organizes seminars and trainings on topics such as social secretariat or insurance, in order to facilitate the formalities.
The data collected allow us to understand the thorny issues that arise for any migrant: the perpetuation or modification of traditions in the country of origin as well as the specific domination relationships that exist there. We will present a summary of the observations regarding gender relations, intergenerational relations, and inter-caste interactions.
