Kathmandu, March 17 Nepal's outgoing Prime Minister Sushila Karki called on non-resident Nepalis worldwide to strengthen unity and actively contribute to Nepal's economic prosperity and development.
The government alone cannot achieve the country's development goals, she said on Monday while addressing the 12th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), which concluded in Kathmandu.
Held under the theme “Our Unity, Base for Prosperity”, the three-day conference brought together more than 1,000 members of the Nepali diaspora, representatives from across the globe.
The 12th edition of the Global Conference and International General Assembly of the NRNA also issued a 12-point declaration.
NRNA is an umbrella organization of around eight million Nepalese living abroad.
Addressing the Conference, Karki said that "The development and prosperity of Nepal cannot be achieved by the government alone. Cooperation, investment, knowledge and innovation of all Nepalis—both in Nepal and abroad—are equally important."
The Prime Minister emphasized investment, knowledge sharing, and cooperation, and called on the Himalayan nation's non-resident citizens worldwide to strengthen unity and actively contribute to Nepal's economic prosperity and development.
She also encouraged non-resident Nepalis to take advantage of Nepal's investment opportunities and contribute to economic growth, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
The Conference also addressed the current ongoing conflict in West Asia in the wake of recent attacks by the US and Israel on Iran.
Starting February 28, the US and Israel launched a massive joint attack on Iran, and with Tehran's retaliation, the conflict has extended to the entire Gulf region.
"We are deeply concerned and serious about the latest situation in the Middle East," the declaration issued by NRNA said.
"We express our commitment to strengthening cooperation with the government of Nepal and international agencies to provide relief, rescue and rehabilitation assistance to Nepalis residing in various countries of the Middle East in times of crisis," it added.
The declaration has underscored unity among the global Nepali community and more investment in Nepal's development endeavors.
It appealed to the government of Nepal to create a more favorable legal and policy environment to facilitate diaspora investment, including amendments to laws governing citizenship, foreign investment, income tax, and property transactions.
It also identified hydropower, agriculture, tourism, information technology, and innovation-based industries as priority sectors for investment and cooperation between the diaspora and the government.