SEBON, Non-Resident Nepali Representatives Discuss Measures to Facilitate Capital Market Participation

The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) on Wednesday held a discussion and interaction programme with representatives of the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) community to explore ways to facilitate greater participation of NRNs in Nepal's capital market.

The meeting was attended by SEBON Chairman Dr. Gopal Prasad Bhatta along with senior officials of the board. During the programme, Chairman Bhatta said the discussion marks the beginning of efforts to implement the government's commitment, announced in the national budget, to amend the legal framework allowing Non-Resident Nepalis to participate in Nepal's secondary securities market.

He noted that the initiative has also been incorporated into SEBON's capital market policy and annual programme for the fiscal year 2083/84, with the board set to move forward with the necessary legal and regulatory reforms.

Chairman Bhatta also emphasized that SEBON is ready to facilitate policies that channel the skills, knowledge and capital acquired by Non-Resident Nepalis abroad into Nepal's infrastructure development and broader economic growth.

During the discussion, NRN representatives welcomed the recent initiatives taken by the Government of Nepal and SEBON, stating that they are helping create an enabling environment for Non-Resident Nepalis to invest in Nepal's securities market.

They further shared plans for an investment company jointly established by the Government of Nepal and the NRN community. According to the representatives, the company intends to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO), issuing ordinary shares to Non-Resident Nepalis and Nepalis living abroad, with the proceeds earmarked for investment in Nepal's physical infrastructure projects.

The representatives also said the company plans to mobilise additional capital in the future by issuing project-specific debt instruments, including bonds and debentures, to finance infrastructure investments. They requested SEBON to facilitate the necessary legal and regulatory reforms to support the implementation of these initiatives.