Kathmandu, November 4
CPN-UML senior leader and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said the state must give special priority to timely assistance, rescue and safe return home for Nepali citizens who face difficulties abroad.
Addressing the inauguration of the second convention of the Pravasi Nepali Manch’s International Committee in Kathmandu on Wednesday, she said the state must be serious about protecting the safety and interests of Nepalis living abroad.
She said Nepal is rich in water resources, forests, herbs, agricultural produce, mineral wealth, natural beauty and cultural diversity, but the available resources must be used in a sustainable and environment-friendly way.
Given the growing risks of climate change and natural disasters, she said, green industries based on natural resources should be developed.
Bhandari said that promoting industries based on hydropower, food processing, herbs, forest products and minerals, along with environment-friendly tourism, can create jobs, substitute imports and boost exports. To turn these possibilities into reality, she said, domestic and foreign investment must be mobilised. She also stressed the need to connect the capital, knowledge, skills and entrepreneurship of Nepalis abroad with Nepal’s development.
She said investment from Nepalis abroad should be linked with the domestic private sector to encourage the setting up of industries, job creation and technology transfer. For this, she said, the government must ensure an investment-friendly environment, policy stability and the protection of investments.
“It is the state’s responsibility to ensure timely assistance, rescue and safe return for Nepalis who are in difficulty abroad,” she said. “Nepal is a country rich in water resources, forests, herbs, agriculture, mineral wealth, natural beauty and cultural diversity. By using these resources sustainably and in an environment-friendly manner, we can create jobs, substitute imports and promote exports through the development of hydropower, agriculture and food processing, herbs, forest-based industries and environment-friendly tourism.”
For this, we must mobilise domestic and foreign investment and link the capital, knowledge, skills and entrepreneurship of Nepalis abroad with national development, she added.
She also said that the CPN-UML, which has been moving forward under the guidance of People’s Multiparty Democracy, has been contributing to establishing and strengthening the democratic system, protecting national pride and sovereignty, and bringing about socio-economic transformation.
“The government needs to ensure an investment-friendly environment, policy stability and the protection of investments,” she said. “The CPN-UML, guided by People’s Multiparty Democracy, has been contributing to establishing and strengthening the democratic system, protecting national pride and sovereignty, and socio-economic transformation. The work and achievements of the party in the interest of the country and the people need to be taken forward even more strongly.”
