April 11, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
 
“It is a right time to invest in Nepal”: NRNs in US engage in an interaction with ambassadors and government officials
 
NRN National Coordination Council facilitated an interaction with NRNNCC of USA organized An Interaction with Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi, Ambassador Dr. Shankar P. Sharma and Mr. Mitul Desai, a Senior Adviser to Assistant Secretary Blake of the Department of State.
 
An interaction primarily focused on the building human (youth and women), professional and entrepreneurial. Mr. Ram C. Kharel, media coordinator, welcomed guests and emphasized on maintaining Nepali identity to help Nepal. Mr. Jagannath Ghimire, Mr. Pradyumna Dahal and Mr. Deepak Basyal talked about the importance of professional networking and knowledge sharing between professional organizations of Nepal. The discussion also focused on how American Society of Nepalese Engineers (ASNEngr), CAN USA, America Nepal Medical Foundation and Association of Nepalese Mathematicians in America can impact knowledge sharing, developing professional and technical skills, and education system. They also shared how a collaborative efforts of ASNEngr, CANUSA and America Nepal Medical Foundation by working with NRNNCC of USA and other organization has built awareness for earthquake disaster preparedness since earthquake in Haiti.
 
Dr. Gyanu Lamichane shared interesting data on the trend of growing number of Nepali in US and a need to establish a process to capture these youth force. He also proposed an idea of investing on quality higher education by establishing Policy research Institute etc. Mr. Bibhav Acharya shared experience of working at Nyaya Health in far west of Nepal and raised concerns on the need of decentralization of Nepal to impact underprivileged areas.
 
Focusing on challenges  to entrepreneurship in Nepal. SVP of NRN National Coordination Council of US, Mr. Prahlad KC, talked about adverse impact of travel advisory warnings, garment imports and also talked about how NRN Organization can promote better image of Nepal by hosting more collaborate entrepreneurial activities and trade shows. Mr. Anjan Shrestha talked about a need for Tax treaty between Nepal and US to ensure Nepalis are not subject to double taxation. He gave example of other SAARC countries and also specified how such treaty can ease the financial burden on Nepali students on F1 VISA who are subject to Federal taxes and are in disadvantage compare to the students from neighboring countries.
Mr. Ratan Jha talked about the objectives of NRN Association and its existence in 56 countries. He further talked about need of NRNs to work with their counter parts in Nepal in big infrastructure projects by sharing knowledge, experience and wealth. Lack of experience in big infrastructure projects are putting Nepali investors in disadvantage. He also talked about NRN Association led efforts of collective investments of NRNs and 100 million dollars project.
 
Suman Timsina, President of NRNNCC of USA, further added, that time has never been better to invest in Nepal. This is a time to rebuild Nepal and they need every resources that we can use to deliver big impacts. These investments can be capacity mobilizing of NRNs and connecting them to right counterpart for capacity building in Nepal.
 
Mr. Mitul Desai, a senior advisor to Asstt Secretary of State = Mr. Robert Blake, introduced the task of diaspora relations in the department of State. He further emphasized his commitment to work closely with Nepali community and building better relationship with diaspora.
 
Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Mr. DeLisi, informed attendees how the US government has been engaged in Nepal’s capacity building and capacity development. He gave example of energy, education, social relationship and other entrepreneurial projects. He further informed of an effort to train youth and women from every community. He added his personal interest and effort in conjunction of US Congress for earthquake preparedness and building trade partnership. He defended to travel advisory and added it has not impacted much as number of tourists from US has increased and are second to India. He clarified that it is his responsibility to ensure citizens of US know what’s happening in Nepal so they come prepared and therefore, such travel advisory for Nepal remains unchanged.
 
Ambassador Dr. Shankar P. Sharma presented several data on Nepal’s development and said, there is no reason for Nepal’s development to be less than 5% by being between two giant economy of India and Nepal with growth in double digit. Therefore capacity building and capacity utilization of Nepal’s skills, profession, youth, women and economy is a must. He informed of various programs initiated and led by his office to develop stronger ties between two bi-lateral countries.
 
Over 70 community leaders from various part of USA represented several youth, professionals and other organizations. They were fully engaged in first of such interactive meeting. NRNNCC of USA’s President Mr. Suman R Timsina moderated the session and he informed taking such interaction to other part of the country in coming days with the help of local organizations. He informed a plan to hold similar program on tourism and trade promotion. Mr. Rajendra Shrestha summarized the program and extended vote of thanks. 
 

--
Suman R. Timsina
President
NRN National Coordination Council of USA (aka NRN America)
http://nrnusa.org

Kalopani Dai : "after all who would like to invest in a country which does not even want you there. " tapai bhutani saranarthi ho???

 Kalopani,
Most likely, you are not one of those who would invest. In most of the gathering, I see that most of the people who demand citizenship as a precondition tend to be people who are unlikely to invest in Nepal. In fact, they are the ones who are hoping that the dual citizenship would allow them to claim inheritance,and sell it in a leisurely pace.

However, I support the dual citizenship. But I don't think it is a precondition to investment. If there is a good environment, people invest in Africa too. The americans investing in India and China don't have local citizenship. It is the opportunity to make profit, and ability to move profit wherever they like.

The days are not too far for chain stores with frenchie.

In kathmandu there are many stores opened in various location by single owner and mangagement. It will take a time as well we need law and order that will work without baias and undue pressure. In case of dispute a fair trial is expected.
If  we do have that kind of  environment many new enterprenuers will emerge with new vision and ideas.

We can not expect a crimial free society but we do expect law and order, lack of this we will be moving wrong directions.

I agree with Pire.  Investors dont need a citizenship to invest.  Thousands of US companies have invested around the world and I am pretty sure their demand was not dual citizenship for an investment. 

well before you all gang up on me, let me make some points here. 
1) NRN = non resident Nepalis , not Americans who were never a Nepali. I am talking about someone who was born and raised in Nepal and during his life time end up getting citizenship from other country. Technically Nepal defines everyone as NRN who has lived more than 18 months or so away from Nepal, including F1 students in the USA. How Americans invest , and how it is feasible becuse of their giant foreign policy is outside the scope of this thread. and yes, America does allow dual citizenship. 

2) If anyone wants to sell their property they can always sell it when they are in green card for 5 years, h1 for however many months. You can still go to Nepal and sell your property. How in the Hell does "maal" finds out you have an American passport, or you can have it transfered to your sister, brother , nephew , niece , mother , wife and sell it. thats is not the point , one can always sell their property. Point is if you make Nepalis who live outside feel like they can't invest in Nepal or let's not even say invest even retain their property securely then they won't.

I didn't like the way the press release is written. It seems more like promoting few names. I hate nepali style of journalism with big headlines in nepali "news"papers with same old rotten headlines of the lies and lies spoken by politicans.

Kalopani, F1 (non-immigrant visas) are not considered to be NRNs. If you try to get the NRN ID they recently established and you're in F1, you're not eligible.

"How in the Hell does "maal" finds out you have an American passport "

Well, given your argument, if no one finds out you have American passport, then, using your own argument, why the hell do you need dual citizenship? You just contradict yourself.

The reality is, those who can't invest in Nepal, especially the US-based NRNs, are often in the forefront demanding dual citizenship.

I support dual citizenship demand for some another reason. But I find the demand as a precondition for investment ridiculous.

I attended one of those Dual Citizenship seekers meeting once. All i saw was bunch of Maoist sympathisers advocating for Dual Citizenships and bunch of ther Ghuskori Neta and ex royals ka santaan who were focused more into being able to bring thier inherited or self gathered properties in Nepal to the west easily than investing in Nepal. The real investors do not need Dual Citizenship to invest.

Dual Citizenship has been a slogan of mao party...i am not sure who they are trying to cater with this slogan.

Lets be real...the two richest Nepali, one in Canada and the other one in australia are both less than 200 Million worth. That is their total worth....the other so called rich Nepali i have seen are between 1 mil - 10 million worth. Even these can be counted in your fingers. Let me be real generous here and say that the number of nepalese abroad worth 1 Million and up is 200, so we have potential 200 investers vs tens of thousands of Ghuskhor, Tax evaders, Theives, and Smugglers who are looking for an easy way to convert their Nepali Wealth into Dollar and bring it to the west.

So with all that, why would any Nepali Citizen in Nepal advocate for Dual citizenship. If they pass the dual citizenship, i am going to jump in the line to get it as it could be very very much useful for me but for Nepal and Nepalese back home i see no benefit for them. For people back home the risk outweighs the benefit.

well said pire and Sidster, You dont need Dual citizenship to invest in Nepal.There is something called PNO card which lets you stay for 10 years, buy property and run businessWhy the hell do you need citizenship?. Then again these so called advocates  dual citizenship are the same people who pressed nepalese government for years to issue PNO cards and when they finally did no one took it.Read the below news.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Few+takers+for+NRN+ID+cards&NewsID=261475&a=3

What I dont understand is  some of my friend who are only PR of Australia are  always in the front when there is a talk about dual citizenship.So are some greencard holders in USA.

 In my opinion, the following people should get dual citizenship:

 Those who are of Nepali origin and 

1. At least spend three years teaching in a Nepali University or College
2. Invest an equivalent of $500K, hire 10 taxpaying people for at least two consecutive years.
Or
3. Those who are persecuted by foreign [nonsouth asian] regime for being Nepali. (For example, if Nepali in the USA gets persecuted by future regime, who knows given these weirdo republicans what might be at stake in the future, then, I will be happy to give a safe haven to people of Nepali origin, because their ancestors too created our country, just like our ancestors did.)

Ek sukko invest nagarne, khali magko lagi mag rakhne harulai kasari dual citizenship dine? Some of these people in USA are asking for dual citizenship only to avoid visa fee. Several of these people had come to USA in govt scholarship, left govt jobs in Nepal, avoided their obligation to stay here. They now want to go home, do some jagga dalali and payoff their mortgage here by bringing money. In other word, they want to go to Nepal for the same reason they came here.

I want NRNs to pinpoint exactly where they need better environment. Lots of NRNs have already invested (like Upendra Mahato) and have said they don't need dual citizenship as they don't plan to give up Nepali citizenship. So, who are these rest who need dual citizenship to invest, and at what field they want to invest ?

yo alik budo haru ko thread raicha...kasro rajniti man parya ho kunni?

 hyaa pire dai, raag na hannus na yar.. 

how did i contradict myself? my point was that if you really want to sell your property then you have pleanty of time and opportunity to sell it even if you take up a foreign citizenship and "maal" karyalaya has no definate way to find out if you have taken a foreign citizenship or not, or like i said you can always transfer to your relatives and have them sell it for you . howevever those methods are shady and illegal  Such shady tatics are and will be used to sell off the property and run off the country. But if Nepal wants sound and secure long term investments from NRN then dual citizenship will promise that stability which will bring good investments. and isn't that what we want ?

Okay so you met some Nepalis who are corrupted and want dual citizenship but does that mean all Nepalis who want dual citizenship want to run off with corruption money ? by not giving the dual citizenship , can that be stopped? When a dual citizen is in his one country the law and protection of that country overcomes the otherone. I have some dual citizen friends from other countriees who are even told by the state dept that they won't be under the protection of US if they use other passport than US to travel. if someone really wants to run off with corrpution money , isn't green card enough for that? 

tara dai, i don't know much about how these things work either, these are just some curious thoughts in my mind. you maybe right. 

yeha yesto jannay buhjnay Nepali dai haru hunu huncha, ma phuchhya k bolu.. tapai haru nai thik ho... sorry dai haru

kalopani, maile 'raag' gareko haina, khali afno view express gareko matra ho. :)

Nepali govt is lucky to have NRNs willing to participate in ventures that will be of mutual benefit. That was the purpose of the issuance of NRN ID card but has not yet come into fruition because it is pretty much useless - it is too expensive, restricted, and the terms & conditions are inundated with grey areas - not to mention govt's lack of implementation and the knowledge of the law at the local level.

That said, the proposal of dual citizenship is to get rid of all that froth and uphold transparency with entitlements for both the govt and the NRNs. There are numerous research already done by respected universities and organizations on the benefits of dual citizenship - countries rich and poor all allow them not only for the benefit of their ex-pats but also because it overwhelmingly benefits the issuing country.

As soon as govt officials realize that foreign sector investments are initially led by ex-pats and bringing with them their connections for even more possible investments - they will forever stay economically poor - the thinking that we don't want to give NRNs dual citizenship because they will sell and run is absolutely absurd and unsupported - nor does it have any foundation for opening the doors to a wider audience of investors outside of NRN. Foreign corporations will not come running unless they see opportunity - sorry, but that's capitalism and the govt just don't have the willingness to learn new skills to partake in these kinds of projects.

Politicians do not realize that providing an opportunity and encouraging NRNs to invest in their former country by issuing dual citizenship can only help build the tiny agriculture based economy into an array of goods and services - imagine the knowledge capital of all those NRNs work in the industry and universities and are free to travel back and forth while *possibly* seeking investment opportunities - but in no way it will guarantee that they will all come rushing in. Without this means of freedom, some NRNs have left Nepal permanently never to return - some who have ties are finding ways to end it - and some who are still there are trying to get out - remittance may be in danger.

Nepali govt needs to get their head out of the sand and stop being bitter -  there are other ways to wealth than to have garnished wealth through corruption, greed and money laundering.

 Javabeans,

Your article is, with all due respect, full of horse-manure. I don't know why people use bombastic words without bothering to put some substance. For example:

"There are numerous research already done by respected universities and organizations on the benefits of dual citizenship - countries rich and poor all allow them not only for the benefit of their ex-pats but also because it overwhelmingly benefits the issuing country."

For god's sake, at least cite one or two researches done by 'respected university" and let us know whether they have external validity (i.e. whether they are valid in terms of Nepal). One shouldn't use the word "research" just to lend credence to an empty argument.

"the thinking that we don't want to give NRNs dual citizenship because they will sell and run is absolutely absurd and unsupported"
"Absolutely unsupported?" huh. Seems like you have a penchant to use superlatives.


Foreign corporations will not come running unless they see opportunity 

Ah, finally we see some economics here. And you are saying foreign corporations need dual citizenship?

In any case, though you are partially correct in your overall argument, I find your writing totally vacuous and the style unconvincing. If I were an all-powerful ruler, after reading your comment, I would have kicked you out of my court rather than granting your wish(i.e. dual citizenship).

Let's keep it objective and the criticism constructive, please.

The research on this topic is plentiful as countries -  prosperous like the US/Australia/Canada/UK to downright poor like Ghana/Sri Lanka have all faced the same quandary before - I will leave the the information gathering up to you.

There is an inherent indirect relationship between a foreign corporation and an ex-pat. There are many reasons why foreign corporations hesitate to invest in emerging markets other than pure economics, for example their lack of knowledge of the local market or culture - both of which could curtail their chances of success. An ex-pat can bridge this gap. Leaving nepal's political mess aside, this gap has been one of the most critical deciding factor for foreign firms as they cannot find local talent with skills and values in par that of a truly global firm.

Let's work through an example - let's say Ms. X, an ex-pat, has product knowledge in the area of insurance and works for a big insurance company in middle management. In order to attract investments from foreign insurance companies nepal should start developing programs to initially lure Ms. X to work/invest/start a business in nepal. The insurance knowledge and experience gained by Ms. X can help build insurance foundations, create committees, stewardship and so on - we should think of the *value* it will create for her firm and nepal's insurance business. If the firm is successful then others will follow - perhaps there is Mr. Y, another ex-pat, working in the same industry in another country and may step up to run the local office of a foreign insurance company interested in opening a branch in ktm. Examples like these are very common in emerging markets where a knowledgeable and skilled ex-pat goes back to seek opportunities in their home countries. This sort of trend hasn't happened in nepal in big volume yet because ex-pats aren't free to roam nepal when they please - in other words, they aren't likely to forgo the luxuries of foreign living just so that they can be treated as non-citizens when they are in nepal - and it is highly unlikely that they will stay longer than they have to. Ex-pats will never fall for the act of patriotism - for them the benefits have to outweight the cost. The incentive and the attractiveness of having these ex-pats coming back to nepal has to be the priority for the politicians - and the way to do it is through dual citizenship - nepal has nothing to lose.

Markets world over has been developed or developing because ex-pats go back and teach/work/mentor/build/innovate on areas they have mastered - south korea, singapore, taiwan, india, etc. are a few of the countries with such histories. To me it is very clear that it is the politicians who don't see eye-to-eye. All they are after is the fees which they will lose if ex-pats are given dual citizenship - its not only the published fees they are after but all the bribery they get on top of it. Nothing more, really. 

 Javabeans,

I don't see why you want to leave information gathering upto me. I have challenged you to produce  "a research" (which you claim exists in a large number) that is at least good enough. If someone is making an argument, it is upto them to provide evidence. I hate people who make reference to "research", and yet provide no real citation of it.

Chinese and Indians didn't provide dual citizenship, did they? Since you made a remark, it is within my right to ask you to provide the proof. If you can't provide proof, I don't see why I need to read your other arguments.

And it is constructive. I favor dual citizenship in Nepal for some other (mainly emotional) reasons. But I am not going to accept it just because someone says it has been 'proved' to be conducive to economic prosperity.

Most of the developed countries in the today's world became developed due to Industrial Revolution. Japan , then, entered this world in early 1900s. I don't see any role of expat there. The Arabians became 'developed' because of oil, then. The 'small tigers' of Asia, who then entered developed world in 80s, too were only partially helped by developed countries, and in any case, I don't think they instituted this dual citizenship.

Sala khate haru......talai dincha Nepal le dual citizenship......ta pakhe haru ko nai hos ra talai dual citizenship dina lai.....magera khane ko santan haru kaheele magna nachodne vayo.....Jindagi var America America ko mala japne haru aaba tero sapana ko desh pugee sake pache feri kina chayeyo Nepai nagrikata?

sala chor ko santan haru Nepal ma kati nai invest garna sakcha ta haru? China le yo barsa ko suruma euta Lumbini develpment ko lagee $6 billion pledge garee sakyo....ra tyesko return ma kehi panee khojeko chaina....anee ta khatee haru $100 million invest garera 5 million Nepali citizenship kojne?

Ta jasto deshdrohee haru lai ta Nepal le ajja purai ban nai garna parcha.....ta pakhe haru lai Nepal ma chirnai dina hunaa........ta jasta haru le Nepal chodeko ta Nepal lai thulo faida vako cha.......aaba dincha talai Dual Citizenship

 I think those who rushed to the United States for greencard shouldn't be too greedy and want the best of the both worlds. Dual citizenship should be on a case-by-case basis. 

I have  been to the gatherings of US based Nepalis whose favorite pastime is to say bad things about Nepal. I believe they should focus on their own career here and just forget about Nepal rather than filling themselves up with so much bitterness. My disgust, however, is reserved for those who came to US for studying, used up Nepal's resource to study engineering/medicine or Fullbright, and now demanding dual citizenship to return some favor. It is like Jo Chor Usko Thulo Swar. Govt should take their land and home in Nepal and banish them forever from Nepal.