Non Resident Nepali Association NRNA

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Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA)

• Shyam D. Karki
• Vice President,
• International Coordination Council

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USA and Canada

• 1960 Very few
• 1970 Less than 100
• 1980 A couple of 1000
• 1990 Real growth
• 2000 100,000 Diversity lottery and insecurity
  at home
• 2010 250,000 - 500,000

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NRN Movement

• Started in the 1980s
• Followed by ANA with different PMs during their
  visits to the US
• Brought to focus in 2000 by the ANA
• Followed up by many Nepali organizations
  personalities
• 10 year visa granted by PM Deubas government in
  2002

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Elements of NRN movement

• Long term visa
• Property rights
• Lifting of discriminatory practices
• Dual citizenship
• Investment opportunities
• Opportunity to help Nepal in its overall
  development

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First International NRN Conference

• October 11, 2003
• 206 delegates from 28 countries
• 31 delegates from USA
• North American delegation (NAC ) with myself as
  Chair
• Second largest delegation
• Everyone who registered

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Conference Goals

• Codify definitions of NRN and PNO
• Level playing field for NRN investors
• Facilitated entry/exit residency for PNOs
• Property repatriation rights for PNOs
• Explore dual citizenship possibilities
• Unearth investment disincentives in force
• Consolidate existing Acts and Policies on NRNs

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NRN or PNO

• NRN
• Person of Nepali origin working outside the
  country
• SAARC countries excluded
• Adopts tax definition - 183 days outside the
  country
• PNO
• Person of Nepali origin holding foreign passport
• Spouse and children of such person
• Third generation descendant of such person
• Last two definitions not yet codified, current
  law discriminatory

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Summary of Issues

• NRNs
• Nepali Passport - no exit/entry/residency
  problems
• Illegal to own foreign property, bank accounts
  and securities
• Source of investment income subject to question
• Potential subject to customs and importation
  restrictions
• PNOs
• Entry/exit/residency cumbersome - new 10 year law
  not effective
• Cannot own property in Nepal - problems with
  inheritances, liquidation and forced repatriation
• Expect to be treated at par with foreign
  investors - policy for foreign investors liberal
  but may not be well tested

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Recent Developments

• February 2004
• Meeting between ICC members and Govt. officials
• Agreement on NRN Ordinance
• October, 2004
• October 11 declared NRN Day
• Pashupati Kriyaputri Bhawan silanyas
• 1 bigha land for Briddhashram
• NRN cell established in MIC at Joint Sec level

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Doha Regional Conferences

• Labor practices in Gulf countries
• Business practices of manpower agencies
• Grievances of Nepali workers and measures to
  address them
• Role of HMG Nepal NRNA
• Role of Nepali private enterprise

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NRNA ACTIVITIES

• Nepal Venture Fund
• Hamro Gaun ko Afnai Utpadan
• Pashupati Kriyaputri Bhawan
• Devghat Briddhashram
• Lumbini Project

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NRNA ACTIVITIES (Contd)

• Not for profit ICT Institute
• Scholarship for Girl students
• Public Library
• Nepal Study Center
• Planned Community Texas model

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NRNA ACT- Update

• Cleared by the Rules Committee
• Was on the agenda of the cabinet
• Postponed to the next meeting at Mr. Pokhrels
  request
• Passed by the cabinet (1/28/05 e-mail)

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NRN ORDINANCE

• NRN 183 days or more for 3 years.
• PNO up to 3 generations
• SAARC countries residents not eligible
• 10 year visa, and can be renewed
• Right to inherit property
• Right to own property with some limitations

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UPDATES

• Investment opportunities similar to
• Source of investment to come from legitimate
  channels
• Designated sectors
• Philanthropic with approval
• NRNA ID card
• Gift up to Rs 1 mil, not taxable

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NRNA Conference 2005

• 2nd NRNA Conference Oct 7-9, 2005
• Very important to have large attendance
• Reconfirm NRN commitment to Nepal
• Invite everyone to join the NAC delegation
• Largest delegation

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Thank you

• Updates
• Monthly e mail updates.
• Attendance at organizational meetings
• Group discussions.
• NEED YOUR INPUT NEED YOUR PARTCIPATION