'Nepal  among a priority partner country'

KATHMANDU, May 9: Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to Nepal, Park Tae-Young, has said that final preparations are being made to take Nepali workers from Nepal to two more areas. While Korea is currently recruiting workers in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors from Nepal, it is now going to recruit manpower from Nepal to meet its demand for the forestry and service sectors as well.

Korea has also prepared to take the workers needed for the forest and botanical sector from Nepal. "Nepal is our priority partner country," Ambassador Park said at a press conference organized in the capital on Wednesday to brief about the activities being organized to mark the 50th anniversary of Nepal-Korea friendly relations, adding, "Among foreign workers, Nepali workers are at the forefront."

Last year alone, around 20,000 workers from Nepal went to Korea for work through the Employment Permit System (EPS). Out of 100,000 migrant workers from different countries who went to Korea for work, the presence of Nepalis is about 20 percent. Currently, about 44,000 Nepalese are working in Korea.

"The birth rate in Korea is decreasing," Ambassador Park said, "As human resources are scarce, workers are being brought in from 16 different countries. Nepali workers have contributed a lot to the Korean economy."

In Korea, Nepalis are getting jobs in agriculture, shipbuilding, and manufacturing. Under the new arrangement, Nepalis will also be taken into the service sector.

The current system of sending workers through the G2G level between the governments of Nepal and Korea is not only the most transparent, but other countries can also get maximum benefits if they send workers in this way. The Nepalese who go to work have not only received attractive salary and facilities but also programs have been implemented to reintegrate them into society upon their return home. They have been connected through various programs before leaving, during service, and after returning.

"We are not only providing jobs in Korea, but we are also helping to create jobs in Nepal as well," Ambassador Park said, "The skills learned by workers in Korea can be changed into entrepreneurship here."

Narrating the experience of Koreans in the 1970s and 1980s going to work abroad like Nepalis now, Ambassador Park also informed that he understood the sad situation of not being able to utilize the money earned at that time and trained Nepalis in its management.

He also mentioned that people-to-people relations have further strengthened between the two countries with Nepali workers going to Korea for work. While there is a positive impact on the Korean economy, the desire of tourists to come here has increased because of the people-to-people relations and the beauty of Nepal. Not only that, because the products made in Nepal can find markets in China and India, he also mentioned that the industry has started to be established here. He informed media persons that the motor assembling industry is also about to start in Nepal. Similarly, Korea is going to support the establishment of polytechnic schools in Bardibas in Madhesh province and also in Gandaki province.

The number of Nepali workers going to Korea has increased because Korea's economy is improving. However, it is not possible to say how long this program will continue, according to Ambassador Park. "The demand for workers in Korea has increased by 30 percent compared to last year," he said. "The demand for workers may continue for a few more years."

Informing that big Korean companies are being attracted to invest in Nepal, Ambassador Park highlighted the need for an agreement on investment security and the elimination of double taxation. He said that Korea is also ready to offer concessional loans to Nepal since it has already offered similar facilities for three hydropower projects. He cited examples of countries including Bangladesh taking concessional loans and carrying out large projects.

Ambassador Park also informed that various programs are going to be organized throughout the year to mark the 50th anniversary of Nepal-Korea relations. He also said that Nepal and Korea are going to exchange high-level visits this year.

Korea is the fourth country that provides foreign direct investment to Nepal. He said that after the recently concluded third investment summit in Kathmandu, the embassy is continuously working to bring in more investment in Nepal. "We are different from other countries," Ambassador Park said, "We want to support Nepal's development endeavors."

Korea has been taking Nepali workers through EPS since 2008. More than 100,000 Nepalis have reached for work from the EPS branch.

According to Maiya Kandel, director of the EPS branch, workers will be taken from Korea to the service sector as well. “It is not yet clear what will be included in it. This opportunity may also be available to those who have passed the Korean language test and are listed in the roster,” she said.

 
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