Kathmandu. A delegation of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) met with the Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Presenting the concept paper of the 4th World Nepali Knowledge Conference-2027 BS, Minister Gunakar Bhatta held extensive discussion on the issues of collaboration for Nepal’s development through knowledge, skills, technology, innovation and investment.

NRNA vice-president and head of the Skills, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Department, Dr Gyanendra Regmi said that the ‘Network for Development’ concept that has been in operation since 2018 has not been limited to issue-oriented discussions but has now been transformed into a solution-oriented model. He also said that the objective was to integrate the major conclusions and recommendations gained from the past three World Nepali Knowledge Conferences with the planning and policy processes of the National Planning Commission and take it ahead as an implementation-oriented programme.

Dr. According to him, the Fourth World Nepali Knowledge Conference-2027 would focus on six thematic areas, which would directly align with the priorities of the National Planning Commission. The conference aims to bring together over three hundred thousand Nepali experts, researchers, scientists, technicians, entrepreneurs and experts working in different professional fields and Nepal’s policy makers, government bodies, universities, research institutes, and the private sector in a common platform to link knowledge, skills, technology, research and international best practices to the development of Nepal.

Likewise, NRNA Vice-President and Chief of the Non-Resident Nepali Welfare Department and Coordinator of Citizenship Continuity Committee, Rojina Pradhan Rai stressed the need to connect skilled and skilled youths of second generation Nepali origin and those with expertise in different sectors to Nepal’s development. She stressed the need for the government to make necessary policy and institutional facilitation to utilize their knowledge, skills and experience.

Stating that the issues of the Non-Resident Nepali Development Fund, the effective implementation of NRNs and amendment to the Non-Resident Nepali Act should be finalized soon, the President said that a clear legal provision, policy support and effective implementation were essential to connect Nepal’s experts and investors around the world to the development of Nepal in a long-term way. He was of the view that these issues should be included in the national development plan to make the transfer of knowledge, skills and technology sustainable and result-oriented.

NRN Development Fund Limited CEO Analraj Bhattarai shared that necessary preparations were underway to operate the NRN Development Fund. He said initiatives were underway to bring the fund into operation with the objective of encouraging the small and big non-resident Nepali investors from around the world to invest in Nepal. Stating that only one amendment was left aside among the legal amendment process required for the operation of the fund, he said that necessary initiatives were being taken to finalize it at the earliest.

Similarly, NRNA Deputy General Secretary Krishna Pokharel apprised the Commission about policy-level and practical difficulties in the process of repatriating the profit derived from the investment made by the Non-Resident Nepalis back home. He also stressed the need of creating investment-friendly environment by removing existing legal and procedural complexities so as to attract foreign investment. Clear policy, simple process and effective implementation were imperative to enhance the confidence of the non-resident Nepali investors, he said.

Addressing the delegation, National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice-Chairman Dr Gunakar Bhatta said that the knowledge and experience of NRNA experts would be crucial for improving good governance, institutional strengthening, legal and policy reforms and bringing international best practices to Nepal. He also expressed the view that collaboration could be made in the areas of digitization of non-financial sector, enhancement of quality of higher education, tunnel way outside the Kathmandu Valley, transport and other infrastructure development.

NRNA chief executive officer Rajendra Kumar Raut said preparations for the Europe regional conference and the Asia-Pacific regional conference were in the final stage. He said that the two regional conferences would focus on topics related to investment promotion in Nepal, ways to attract investment of Non-Resident Nepalis and investment opportunities in Nepal. He also informed that suggestions and conclusions received from the regional conference would be linked to national development and investment promotion.