Kathmandu, October 14:

The third Non-Resident Nepali Global Conference 2007 is all set to kick off tomorrow at Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC), bringing together Nepali diaspora from across the world.

Speaking at a pre-event press conference, Sahana Pradhan, foreign minister and coordinator of the organising committee of the third NRN Global Conference, said government is committed to work in close collaboration with private sector including the NRNs for socio-economic development of the country.

Referring the recently promulgated NRN Act, she said that this legislation has opened doors to engage NRNs in diverse activities back in their motherland. She stressed on the need of constructive role of NRNs in making current political transformation a great success as well as a making of the dream of ‘New Nepal’ true.

Dr Upendra Mahato, president of NRN-International Coordination Council said that the

newly-brought NRN Act is incomplete as the act is not clear in many aspects and the defination are confusing. He also suggested the government to effect necessary changes while formulating its regulations.

Mahato also asked the government to formulate regulations in order to get NRN-Association registered within this year. Responding to the queries on NRN’s investment in Nepal, he said ‘though in small amount NRNs have invested in diverse sectors in the country. “NRNs have invested an estimated of $300 million in different projects including health, education, hydropower, banking, IT and others,” he informed.

During the conference, various issues including foreign employment, investment of NRNs,

role of NRNs in the making of new Nepal, and joint venture of Nepali in foreign country, will be discussed.

The conference is being organised jointly by the government, NRN Association-International Coordination Council and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).

Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI, said that the Nepali private sector has been working closely with the NRNs to facilitate their various activities in Nepal. He asked the government to make sure that there would be consistency in policies and Investment-friendly environment in the country.

Foreign secretary Gyan Chandra Acharya informed that the formulation of NRN Regulations is underway and assured that this will address the remaining issues of the NRNs. “Outcomes of the global conference would also be incorporated while finalising the regulations,” he said adding that the law would come very soon.

Around 600 participants, including 400 NRNs and 200 Nepalis, are expected to participate in the three-day long conference that will last till October 17.

The first and second NRN conferences were held in 2003 and 2005 in Kathmandu.