Foreign Minister Arzu Rana has pointed out several pressing topics, ranging from the complexities faced by Nepali migrant workers to the educational visas for foreign students.

Rana, while addressing the Kantipur Conclave’s ‘Prosperity beyond borders’ on Thursday, noted that complicated domestic laws were discouraging investment from Non-Resident Nepalis and impeding the economic development of the country.

Turning to the Middle East, where escalating conflict has caused serious concerns, Minister Rana disclosed that approximately 1,400 Nepalis are currently residing in Lebanon.

To address safety concerns of Nepali migrant workers in Lebanon, a help desk was set up and a website was launched recently with a view to facilitate the registration of Nepali citizens there, she said. “Of the over 1,400 Nepalis there, only 97 have registered, posing significant challenges for any potential evacuation or rescue operation.”

Minister Rana also highlighted the high number of Nepali migrants in Iraq, despite travel restrictions. Nepal’s embassy in Kuwait, which also oversees Iraq, estimates around 20,000 Nepalis are in the war-torn country, driven by lucrative wages. A 2017 study by Nepal Rastra Bank reported that the Nepalis who can earn an average of Rs90,000 annually here in the country, can earn up to Rs532,000 in those countries, Rana said.

She acknowledged that while migration may offer financial opportunities, it also exposes Nepalis to substantial risks.

The foreign minister underscored the need to balance foreign employment opportunities with the development of local employment prospects to mitigate the risks associated with outmigration.

Minister Rana revealed that the government is planning to issue student visas to international students interested in studying in Nepal. According to her, officials from the Maldives recently inquired about creating a conducive environment for their citizens to pursue studies in Nepal, signalling growing regional interest in Nepal’s offerings mainly in medical education.

She was of the view that frequent changes in the government leadership in Nepal was another factor that created a negative impression on international investors.

However, Minister Rana noted that complicated domestic laws hinder foreign direct investment, impeding economic development.

“Although NRN card has been provided to the Nepalis, there is still a dilemma about the rights privileged to them,” she said, “A taskforce has been formed at the ministry to work on drafts for amendment on mainly three laws, namely, the Non-Resident Nepali Act, 2008; Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2019; Nepal Rastra Bank Foreign Investment and Foreign Loan Management Bylaw, 2021; to address the concerns of the diaspora.”

Stating that the task might take a couple of months as the preparations are underway, the foreign minister added that unless the issues are addressed the environment is not very welcoming.

She committed to create such an environment by amending the laws, setting up a division led by a joint secretary at the foreign ministry and initiating the process to facilitate them within three-four months.