Friday, October 16, 2009

Hirachan New NRNA Chief NRNs to Support Economic Diplomacy

Non-Resident Nepalis, who concluded their fourth global conference in the capital Thursday, have promised to mobilize their global network to support the government´s economic diplomacy, but also called upon the leaders to pursue politics of consensus for timely formulation of constitution and logical conclusion of peace process.

Issuing a 19-point Kathmandu Declaration at the end of the conference, they welcomed the government´s decision to issue identity cards to the NRNs from January 2010 through Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also the diplomatic missions abroad. But NRN Association also urged the government and all the political parties to fulfill their demand for dual citizenship to pledge them special recognition and attract more NRN investment in the country.


Putting high emphasis on contribution made by remittance in country´s economy, the NRNs, through the declaration, also made commitment to initiate the process of collecting suggestions to end ill-practices and challenges seen in foreign employment sector. For the purpose, it has announced that a joint task force including representatives from the government, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and NRNA representatives will be formed soon.

The declaration has also hailed the government´s budgetary program to issue bond targeting Nepali migrants and stressed on the need to use remittance in the productive sectors.

NRNA has also expressed commitments to make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a success and reiterated that it will support country´s tourism by following the spirit of ´Send Home a Friend campaign´. It also emphasized the need to promote the concept of Public Private Partnership while developing infrastructure projects, including Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track and different hydropower projects, through the involvement of NRNA and private sector.

“NRN chapters along with Nepali Missions will also take joint initiatives to introduce and promote natural and cultural heritage of the country such as Lumbini -- the birth place of Lord Buddha, Janakpur, Mount Everest as well as other religious sites of Nepal,” the declaration states.

The declaration also strongly demanded the government to give priority to development of science and technology sector in the country´s plans and recognize the contribution of NRNs in country´s sustainable development. It has also laid emphasis on mobilizing NRN network to promote One Village One Product, a campaign introduced by the government to promote Public Private Partnership.

The fifth NRNA global conference would be held in Kathmandu in October 2011.


Addressing the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal lauded the NRNs for their investment and charitable works in Nepal. He also pinned his hope on NRNs leading the FDI growth in Nepal.

Meanwhile, the biennial general meet of the association unanimously elected Dev Man Hirachan as its new chairman for the next two years. Hirachan was elected unopposed after two other contenders, Ram Pratap Thapa (Germany) and Bhim Udas (Lesotho), withdrew their candidacy early on Thursday.

Hirachan is a Japan-based businessmen involved in tourism and information technology sector. He was previously serving the association as the vice-chairman. Similarly, Ratan Kumar Jha who represents the NRN-USA, has been elected unopposed as the new general secretary. The other office bearers of NRNA International Coordination Council (ICC) were decided through elections. The meet also elected the new coordinators and vice-coordinators of regional co-ordination councils of NRNA.

New Team

Dev Man Hirachan Chairman, NRNA-ICC
Ganesh Kumar Ijam Coordinator, Asia Pacific
Ambika Prasad Adhikari Coordinator, Americas
Hitman Gurung Coordinator, Europe
Goba Katuwal Coordinator, Oceania

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