NRN USA calls for capacity building for Nepal's development

The Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) National Coordination Council of USA organized an interaction with Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi, Ambassador Dr. Shankar P. Sharma and Mitul Desai, a Senior Adviser to Assistant Secretary Robert Blake of the US Department of State, in Washington DC on Sunday.

(From left) NRN USA president Timsina, NRNA General Secretary Jha, Ambassador DeLisi, Ambassador Sharma and Desai at the interaction. (Photo courtesy: nepalhorizons.com)

The interaction was primarily focused on building human, professional and entrepreneurial resources and capacity to help in Nepal's overall development. During the interaction, Jagannath Ghimire, Pradyumna Dahal and 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 could collaborate in the areas of knowledge sharing, developing professional and technical skills, and learning from US education system. They also shared how a collaborative effort of ASNEngr, CANUSA, America Nepal Medical Foundation, NRNNCC of USA and other organizations has built awareness for earthquake disaster preparedness since earthquake in Haiti.

Dr. Gyanu Acharya shared interesting data on the trend of growing number of Nepalis in the US and a need to establish a process to capture the youth force. He also proposed to set up a Policy Research Institute in order to promote and invest in quality higher education in Nepal. Bibhav Acharya shared experience of working at Nyaya Health in far western region of Nepal and emphasized on the need of decentralization in Nepal in order to bring about socio-economic transformation in underprivileged areas of Nepal.

Focusing on challenges to entrepreneurship in Nepal, senior vice president of the NRN National Coordination Council of US, Prahlad KC, talked about adverse impact of travel advisory warnings, garment imports and how NRNA could promote better image of Nepal by hosting more collaborate entrepreneurial activities and trade shows in the US. Anjan Shrestha stressed on the need for Tax treaty between Nepal and the US in order to ensure that Nepalis are not subject to double taxation.

General Secretary of the NRNA International Coordination Council, 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, said Jha adding that NRN Association was leading efforts to mobilise collective investments of NRNs in Nepal and the 100 million dollars project.

President of the NRNNCC of USA, Suman Timsina, said that time has never been better to invest in Nepal. This is a time to rebuild Nepal and Nepal needs every resource that we can use to deliver big impacts. These investments can be in the form of capacity mobilization of the NRNs and connecting them to right counterparts for capacity building in Nepal, he said.

Mitul Desai, a senior advisor to US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake, introduced the task of diaspora relations at the US Department of State. He further emphasized his commitment to work closely with Nepali community and building better relationship with diaspora.

In his welcome address, media coordinator of the NRN USA, Ram C. Kharel, said that there was a need of maintaining Nepali identity and helping Nepal in whatever way possible.

Nepal-US Partnership

Speaking on the occasion, US ambassador to Nepal, Scott H DeLisi, spoke about the US government’s engagement 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 travel advisories being issued by the US embassy in Kathmandu but added that they had not impacted much as number of tourists from US had increased over the period to time. 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.

Nepal’s envoy to the US, Dr. Shankar P. Sharma, gave an overview of Nepal’s development endeavours and said there was no reason Nepal should grow less than 5 percent every year at a time when its two immediate neighbours, India and China, were heading towards double digit growth. He, however, said capacity building and capacity utilization of Nepalis’ skills was a must, wherever they are, to attain the goal. He informed of various programs initiated and led by the Nepali embassy in Washington DC to develop stronger ties between Nepal and the USA.

Over 70 community leaders from various parts of the USA represented several youth, professionals and other organizations of expatriate Nepalis in America. Moderating the interaction, NRNNCC of USA’s President Suman R Timsina said NRN USA will be taking such interaction to other part of the country in coming days with the help of local organizations. Rajendra Shrestha summarized the program and extended vote of thanks. nepalnews.com