Speakers urge mechanism to tap NRNs' expertise

 Kathmandu, May 27

Experts have said that a mechanism should be developed to effectively avail of experienced, skilled, and academically qualified experts for multidisciplinary and contemporary research, study, and policy advocacy.

Speaking at an interaction organsied by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) in Kathmandu on Tuesday, former administrators, private sector experts, and other stakeholders said that such pool of experts can support in advancing the country's governance system, sustainable economic development, and evidence-based policymaking.

The interaction identified existing policy gaps in the country and discussed possibilities for long-term policy reform, the NRNA said in a statement.

Discussions highlighted the need to expand collaboration among non-resident Nepalis, Nepali academic scholars, retired civil servants, successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople, journalists, legal professionals, and researchers to enhance institutional contributions to policymaking.

Likewise, the programme emphasised the formulation and implementation of economic policies focused on structural transformation for Nepal's long-term and inclusive economic development.

Participants stressed the need to pay particular attention to policies that boost production and productivity, industrialisation, the digital economy, the green economy, job creation, and strengthening public-private-cooperative partnerships.

According to them, a collaboration is needed to create the legal and policy frameworks necessary to effectively mobilise the knowledge, skills, and capital of non-resident Nepalis worldwide for Nepal's prosperity and development.

The programme stressed the need to institutionally utilise the international experience and knowledge of Nepali experts in Nepal's policymaking and development processes.

It recommended creating a common platform to coordinate the private sector, academic institutions, and Nepali experts abroad to prepare policy dialogue, research, and strategic recommendations.

Participants of the discussion included President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, Dr. Hem Raj Sharma, immediate past president Dr. Badri KC, former chief secretaries Ek Narayan Aryal and Shankar Bairagi, former secretaries Shishir Kumar Dhungana, Prem Kandel, Ram Prasad Ghimire, Dhanraj Gyawali, Phadindra Gautam, and Mani Ram Gelal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Anjan Shrestha, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Birendra Raj Pandey, Vice President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce Deepak Shrestha, retired Inspector General of Armed Police Raju Aryal, and President of the Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal (IPPAN) Ganesh Karki.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 May 2026.