KATHMANDU: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has lauded the Nepal government’s decision to open the country’s stock market to non-resident Nepalis (NRNs).

In a statement released on Thursday, General Secretary Baburam Lama said the move—announced in the fiscal year 2025/26 budget—marks a positive step in engaging overseas Nepali capital.

The NRNA said allowing NRNs to trade in the secondary securities market would help channel foreign capital into vital sectors like banking, tourism, and hydropower, potentially boosting economic growth.

Despite welcoming the development, the association stressed that merely allowing trading rights is not enough.

It urged the government to ensure that NRNs can invest in Nepal with the same rights as resident citizens.

“Non-resident Nepalis should be able to invest like any Nepali citizen without legal or regulatory discrimination,” the statement emphasized, calling for the elimination of any structural barriers that restrict NRN participation.

The NRNA also flagged several long-standing issues that remain unaddressed.

These include the implementation of non-resident Nepali citizenship, proper investment guarantees, and formal recognition of the contributions made by migrant workers.

The association urged the government to adopt comprehensive reforms to fully integrate the NRN community into the national economic framework, ensuring their rights and investments are protected and valued.