Kathmandu, July 14

The government has felicitated returnee migrant workers who decided to stay back in the country and open 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, steel and garment sectors and also for being a source of inspiration for those who return from foreign jobs and want to start a business in Nepal.

Nabaraj Poudel, owner of Kantipur Poultry Breeding Firm of Bara, 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 in the United Arab Emirates in a poultry firm and also in a waste management company.

Likewise, Dipak Chapagain of Jhapa, Nir Bahadur Raut and Ek Bahadur Syangtang of Bhojpur (jointly), Manoj Kumar Bharati of Makawanpur, Sharmila Adhikari of Jhapa and Trilok Paneru of Kailali, who are all returnee migrant workers, were also honoured for their entrepreneurial initiatives and were provided cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.

Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista said that this felicitation of the returnee migrant workers is just a small step towards promoting entrepreneurship among those who return from foreign employment. “The government will continue to support the people to start their own businesses in Nepal and also try to discourage the flow of able-bodied youths to foreign destinations.”

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

Similarly, government had honoured eight returnee migrant workers last year to encourage such workers to embrace entrepreneurship.