Kathmandu, July 2

The government has honoured eight returnee migrant workers who have stayed back in the country and been involved in opening their own enterprises. They were honoured for setting an example of entrepreneurship. Most of the entrepreneurs who were honoured are involved in the agriculture sector of the country.

The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) said that the returnee migrants were felicitated for their dedication in the agriculture sector and also for being a source of inspiration for those who return from foreign jobs and want to start a business in Nepal.

Sonam Lama, owner of Aarava Nepal Modern Agriculture Company of Lamjung, was selected as the most excellent returnee migrant entrepreneur of the year and was awarded a cash prize of Rs 100,000. Prior to starting his own business in Nepal, Lama had worked for two years in the United Arab Emirates and for another two years in Israel. He has invested Rs 160 million in his firm in Sundarbazzar of Lamjung.

Likewise, Devi Prasad Khatri of Baglung, Hari Luintel of Khotang, Khoj Raj Katuwal of Kathmandu, Ganesh Pun Magar of Parbat, Prem Prasad Lamichhane of Bardiya, Drona Prasad Nepuane of Rupandehi and Ramdepal Tharu of Bardiya, who are all returnee migrant workers, were also honoured for their entrepreneurial initiatives.

“This felicitation of the returnee migrant workers is just a small step to promote entrepreneurship among those who return from foreign employment. The government is planning to introduce other measures too so as to encourage such workers to start their own business in Nepal and also to discourage the flow of able-bodied youths to foreign destinations,” said Gokarna Bista, minister of MoLESS.

Earlier, the MoLESS had published a notice seeking applications for the award. For the award, the ministry had set the criteria of use of local resources, amount of investment, tax compliance, employment creation, energy consumption, feasibility and whether their goods were exportable items.