Esewa Money Transfer on Friday launched the “Mero Digital Desh” initiative to promote digital remittance.

“The main aims of the campaign are to promote the inflow of remittance through formal channels and to reduce the cost of sending remittance,” said Daniel Shrestha, the director of eSewa Money Transfer.

The company aims to make the people aware about the advantages of sending the remittance through digital channels over the traditional medium of sending the cash remittance.

A World Bank report published in May said that the officially recorded remittance flows to low and middle-income countries are expected to increase by 4.2 percent this year to reach $630 billion.

“Last fiscal year, Rs40 to Rs45 billion was spent on sending remittance to Nepal,” said Sagar Khanal, General Manager of eSewa Money Transfer. “It can be reduced by 50 percent by promoting digital medium.”

In the last fiscal year, Nepal received Rs1 trillion in remittance, the highest ever in the country’s history, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank.

The Mero Digital Desh campaign, which began on Friday, will continue until February 18 next year.

“Under the scheme, one winner every month will receive gifts worth Rs150,000 and one individual at the end of the campaign will be awarded with a fully facilitated house in Kathmandu,” said Khanal.

“Nepali individuals over the age of 18 and working in any country can be a part of the initiative by sending the remittance directly through eSewa Money Transfer to any bank account and eSewa wallet of the beneficiary in Nepal,” said Khanal.

Those receiving the cash remittance directly in their eSewa wallet are also eligible to become winners under the initiative, according to the company.

The campaign will be promoted by actors Rajesh Hamal and Swastima Khadka on national and international platforms.

Ajesh Koirala, the Chief Executive Officer of eSewa Money Transfer, said that the campaign is dedicated to all those who have been the backbone of the country’s economy by sending the remittance. “We urge the Nepalis living across the world to participate in the initiative,” said Koirala.