The 8th global conference and international general assembly of the Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), which is being attended by over 1,500 non-resident Nepalis (NRNs), kicked off in Kathmandu on Saturday. 

The event was inaugurated by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari. President Bhandari thanked NRNs for transferring skills and mobilising financial resources to support the nation-building process. 

“NRNs have made significant investment in sectors like healthcare, education, tourism, hydropower and infrastructure, among others,” said President Bhandari. “Time has now come to increase such investment and become one of the key players in the country’s economic development. NRNs should also tell the whole world that Nepal is safe for investment.” 

The president also complimented NRNs for their role in rescue and relief operations during the devastating earthquake of 2015 and recent floods in the southern plain. 

President Shesh Ghale said NRNs were serious about development of Nepal, and the primary reason for establishing the NRNA 14 years ago was to transfer skills and financial resources to Nepal from abroad.

The four-day event being held in Kathmandu will see panel discussions on cross-cutting issues as well as networking events. The biggest highlight of the programme will be the election of the International Coordination Council (ICC) of the NRNA, the apex umbrella body of NRNs, which will be held on Monday. The election, which is held every two years, sees various NRNs contending for different posts in the association, including the president. 

This year, contenders vying for the post of the president are Bhaban Bhatta and Jamuna Gurung. Whoever emerges victorious will succeed Ghale, who is stepping down after completing his second two-year term as the NRNA president. 

Bhatta, who owns hospitality businesses in Japan, has said he will give continuity to work initiated by the association if he gets elected to the post. 

Likewise, Gurung has vowed to empower women by promoting women entrepreneurship if elected as the president. 

It is said TB Karki, an NRN based in Qatar, is also contending for the post of the president. The Post, however, could not independently verify Karki’s candidacy, as he could not be contacted.

The four-day event will also see election to different posts of the NRNA-ICC’s executive committee. 

It will also elect regional coordinators and co-coordinators for six regions, Asia-Pacific, Europe, America, Oceania, Africa and the Middle-East.

The NRNA-ICC last held its election in 2015. The NRNs have been working in an organised way in Nepal and other countries since October 2003 following establishment of the NRNA. Since then, the NRNA has expanded its networks to 77 countries around the globe. Over 100,000 Nepalis, except those residing in South Asia, are associated with the NRNA. It is reported that five million Nepalis are living in 110 countries throughout the world.