AUSTRALIA-BASED Non-Resident Nepali Shesh Ghale was elected new president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) on Sunday. Ghale, 55, is the CEO and Executive Director of MIT Groups Holdings, which is also investing in Nepal in a five star hotel project. The Post talked to Ghale on his plans, investment promotion and possibilities in Nepal, and the first-ever election that took place to elect an NRNA chief. Excerpts What are your plans as the new NRANA president? This is an opportunity for me. Now, my first priority will be preparing an action plan based on my commitments in my election manifesto. The plan will have short-, mid- and long-term plans to bring investment in Nepal in potential areas. As I believe in team work, I will be visiting many countries to collect advice from NRNs living there. The action plan will be realistic and visionary for the next executive committee to follow. With the registration of the NRNA on Sunday, our association has received legal recognition. We will also be focusing on building our own office in Nepal. The registration has also made it easy for us to purchase assets. We also have some funds. It seems the newly elected executive committee will have the chance to carry out many financial activities. For the first time, an NRNA president was elected through competitive electoral process, breaking away from the tradition of electing the head through consensus. How do you plan to take ahead the NRN movement? I have underlined the spirit of unity and inclusiveness in my manifesto. In the past, the NRNA president used to be selected through consensus, and we tried to do so this time as well. But we had to go for an election after Tenzi Sherpa did not withdraw his nomination even after other three candidates of the president supported me. However, this is a democratic practice and election was held under a fair process. This is not only my victory, but also my rival Tenzi Sherpa’s, as the focus of all of us is on the unity among Nepali diaspora. It is said that the NRNA has failed to walk the talk when it comes to bringing investment to Nepal. What is your evaluation of the last 10 years of the NRNA? Our effort regarding the investment in Nepal is a continuous process. In the last 10 years, NRNs have invested Rs 30 billion in different sectors in Nepal, as per the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. This indicates that we can do more in the coming days. We have started off with baby steps. I do not see huge investment coming to Nepal soon. But when it comes to knowledge and skill transfer will help the country. What are the hurdles in attracting investment in Nepal? There are some key hurdles like the lack of investment friendly policies, delay in amendment to the antiquated Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act 1992, and the attitude of bureaucrats towards the NRNs. The NRNA is a bridge to attracting foreign direct investment. In my view, joint venture with foreign companies is the best way to bring in investment rather than direct involvement of foreign investors. Local partners can help international partners in dealing with local matters in the primary level. The NRNA, as a social organization, can only explain and promote Nepal’s investment potential in the international market. Besides, we are also working on making collective investment in the mother country. There are reports about exploitation of Nepali migrant workers. What will the NRNA do for them? Our new executive committee will very soon come up with a decision to establish an NRNA fund dedicated for the welfare of Nepali migrant workers. The fund will be utilised for providing immediate relief to Nepali workers facing difficulties abroad. Hopefully, we will reach a conclusion on the matter within a week. However, the size of the fund, the sources and the operation modality will be decided later. We are much aware that Nepalis are facing problems in international labour destinations. Many take the NRNA as a savoir of Nepalis facing problems, but it is misconception. We can network with international communities like International Labour Organisation regarding Nepali migrant worker issues. It is said that you had strong backing from the UCPN-Maoist and the Nepali Congress for the election.What do you say on this? More or less, the result of the election is the outcome of my visit to 25 countries in last six months. I had self confidence as I received goodwill from many NRNs wherever I reached. Since there were so many participants, around 1,000, they may have their own political belief and affiliation. I am not associated with any political parties. The NRNA should remain above the politics. Since I was fighting for the NRNA presidency, I had sought support from all sectors. My first priority will be preparing an action plan, which will have short-, mid- and long-term plans to bring investment in Nepal
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