Kathmandu, October 16:

Participating Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) at the global conference today sought the need of partnership approach in infrastructure development between NRNs, the government and private sector.

Though infrastructure development is primarily government’s responsibility, NRNs and private sector representatives vo-wed to play a supportive role in government’s ende-avours.

Speaking at a plenary session on investment opportunities in infrastructure at the NRN Global meet, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, minister of state for water resources expressed that government is highly concerned with the NRNs’ issues and other potential investors in regard to investment in hydropower.

“Nepal’s existing potentials are impressive,” Sharda Jung Thapa, vice-president NRNA-North America, said adding that NRNs are ready to explore and exploit it, if there is a sustain-ed effort and consistency in policies. “Political stability and consistency in policies are two vital factors that have an empirical rel-ationship with investment.

He stressed the need of pulling NRN talents across the globe and utilise their expertise and capitals for social infrastructure development in the areas of education, health care and community development. Thapa also asked the government to come up with a concrete plan of action to utilise NRNs talents.

Diwakar Golchha, first vice-president FNCCI, stressed the need of proper utilisation of socio-economic capitals and expertise and their participation in building ‘New Nepal.’ He also informed that FNCCI has been consistently raising voices and working sincerely in making Nepal a lucrative FDI destination.

Purna Prasad Kadaria, secretary at the ministry of physical planning and works, made a presentation on investment opportunities in various infrastructure projects in water supply and sanitation, urban development and roads. He said that the government is willing to invite private hands in infrastructure projects under BOOT (build, operate, own and transfer) system.

Making a presentation on opportunities in hydropower investment, Anup Kumar Upadhaya, joint secretary at the ministry of water resources, highlighted various procedural and administrative aspects of power generation and private sector’s investment. He asked the NRNs to consider in forging partnership for hydropower investment.