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How to Send Money from RIA Money Transfer

A leading money transfer company with a worldwide network of 507,000 locations in 160 countries, RIA has been offering world-class money transfer services since its inception. Established with the mission to ensure migrant workers had options of sending money without the need to sacrifice peace of mind for a fair price, RIA has been making the world a smaller place by closing the distance between families and loved ones living across different countries of the world.

You can send money to Nepal from all over the world through Ria Money Transfer from:

  1. The RIA App
  2. Website
  3. In-person

RIA App

If you want to send money directly from the RIA app, follow these easy steps:

1.   Create an account (if you haven’t already)

2.   Tap Send or Send money now

3.   Enter your money transfer details:

  • The Country you are sending to
  • The amount you want to send
  • Payment method
  • Delivery method

4.   Review the total cost and tap Continue

5.   Select or add a recipient

6.   Select a saved Payment method or add a new one and click Continue

7.    Review the details of your transfer and tap Confirm to send

You can also send the money directly to IME PAY wallet from RIA app.

Sending money from the website

1.    Create an account (if you haven’t already)

2.    Click ‘Send money’ on the left-hand side of the screen

3.    Choose the country you’re sending money to

4.    Enter the amount you want to send

5.    Choose your Payment method

6.    Choose the Delivery Method

7.    If you have a promo code, add this now

8.    Click Continue

9.    Now add your recipient. You can choose an existing recipient or click Add a new recipient

10.  Click Continue

11.  Choose one of your existing payment methods, or add a new one

12.  On the Review details screen, check that everything looks correct

13.  Click Send to get your money on its way.

Sending money in person

With more than 490,000 locations around the world, you can find a Ria location near you to send money. Scan the QR code below to find a Ria location today:

You can receive your sent money in Nepal directly in the receiver’s IME pay wallet or in their bank account. If you wish to receive it in cash, IME has 35000 plus agent network spread across the country, you can cash out your remittance amount from any of these agent counters.

Digital Wallet – Fulfilling Customers’ Needs

Just when humanity thought technology couldn’t make life any more convenient, digital mobile wallet services get introduced.

“Handy” alone is not sufficient to describe the full package of attributes this innovation carries, with the speedy fast cash transaction option, robust security assurance, E-wallets are incredibly secure and offer a minimized risk of fraudulent activity, a direct link to the users’ bank account and more. Digital payments have become a new yet sensational topic as of late. Before the user interface of digital payment apps weren’t as easy to use and smooth functioning, which would be problematic for users but now people who were very unknown are also now trying to get into digital wallets. They seem to be realizing the convenient ways for the payment service and the flexibility provided by the digital products where they can get comfort entertaining transactions from home or wherever they are at.

Instant gratification in life might not be possible but instant payments are with a digital wallet! Digital wallet as so the name suggests is a result of technological advancement that permits the transaction of currency via the means of digitalization. The process is followed by an additional authentication for recognition in order to safeguard the transaction. So far the number of digital wallet has impressively grown in the past few years, they have been commonly operating as Payment Service Providers with their numerous payment options, after the establishment of IME pay, along with other e-wallet applications, a fair credit share of the increasing analytics goes to the recent breakdown of COVID virus in the year 2020, as people were and are still opting for human to human contact less mediums. Retrospectively viewing, the obvious benefits of switching to online payment and saving option has been acknowledged in the past years too, alongside of which, a positive connotation is the popularity that has remarkably plateaued in the present days with the rise in number of businesses forming a synergy with e-wallet options, bridging the gap between people and the application via marketing and promotion. Also digital payment in Nepal soar as more people stay home on virus fear

COVID-19 pandemic has left a detrimental effect on people, especially because the new normal of avoiding human contact is expected to be a constant for years to come along. Needless to say, the effects of the lockdown have promoted the active use of cashless transactions and, more and more people each day are going cashless. There has been a significant growth ever since the COVID-19 and more and more people have started to embrace the digitalization. This shades a positive light on the future of e-wallets as electronic transactions don’t need physical presence which is why, now digital payments have not only become a preferred option but a necessity all together. The easy few steps operation method allows the users to be confidently in charge of money navigation. The coronavirus epidemic has affected everyone’s business, Whereas the elder ones are doing well and some of the e-wallets are also been urged to either sell their licenses or merge with other related business company to continue their work. 

On the other hand, international tourists and domestic population benefit equally with the newly introduced remittance feature, marking the leverage that goes both ways for the application and people. Lately, In Nepal now there are now many e-wallets which have been launched in the market to make the digital payment service easier.

In summary, the endorsement of digital wallets is expected to grow with years to come, making space for expansion in terms of features and wider reach to mass population.

प्रवासी कामदारहरूमा कोभिड-१९ को प्रभाव

सन् २०१९ को अन्त्यतिरबाट शुरू भएको कोभिडले मानवीय जनजीवन अस्तव्यस्त तुल्याएको छ । विश्व स्वास्थ्य सङ्गठनले  विश्वव्यापी महामारी घोषणा गरेको कोभिड – १९ द्वितीय विश्व युद्धपछि मानवजातिको सबैभन्दा ठुलो चुनौती बनेको छ | 

शुरू भएको दुई वर्ष बितिसक्दा पनि कोभिड -१९ को प्रभाव निमिट्यान्न भइसकेको छैन, नयाँनयाँ वेभ आउने क्रम जारी नै छ | कोभिडले  विश्वको आर्थिक क्रियाकलापमा खलल पुर्‍यायो नै लाखौँ मानिसहरूको अकालमा ज्यान लियो र लिने क्रम जारी छ | मानिसहरूको जीविकोपार्जनमा  गहिरो असर पारिरहेको छ । रोजगारको सिलसिलामा आफ्नो जन्मथलो छोडेर बाहिरी मुलुक गएका हजारौँ प्रवासी कामदारहरू रोजगारी संकटमा छ भने सयौँ नेपाली दाजुभाई दिदीबहिनीले कोभिडका कारण विदेशमा ज्यान गुमाएका छन् । जोखिमपूर्ण अवस्थाको सामना गर्दै प्रवासिएका नेपाली श्रमिकहरूको अवस्था चिन्ताजनक छ । यस्तै कारणले चल पूँजीको मुख्य श्रोत रेमिट्यान्समा महामारीको प्रभाव अनुभव गर्न थालिएको छ, एकिन छैन यो प्रभाव कति लामो समयसम्म रहला? 

विकासोन्मुख राष्ट्रहरूमा रेमिट्यान्स आर्थिक क्रियाकलापका लागि मुख्य श्रोत हो । आफ्नो जन्मथलोबाट टाढा बसेर पनि आफ्नो देशसँग भावनात्मक र आर्थिक सम्बन्ध राखिरहने र घर खर्चका लागि पैसा पठाइरहने वर्गले अहिले हाम्रो देशको अर्थ व्यवस्था धानिरहेको छन्। विदेशमा कठिन श्रम खर्च गरेर आर्जन गरी आफ्नो घरपरिवारमा पठाउने पैसालाई सामान्य भाषामा रेमिट्यान्स भनिन्छ । 

नेपालको हकमा रेमिट्यान्स र जीविकोपार्जनकावीच घनिष्ट सम्बन्ध छ | नेपालले कुनै न कुनै माध्यबाट रेमिट्यान्स प्राप्त गर्ने गरेको इतिहास दुई सय वर्षभन्दा बढी पुरानो हो | आफ्नो मुलुक बाहिर गएर कमाएको पैसा आफ्नो जन्मथलो पठाउनु नयाँ कुरा हैन | पछिल्ला दशकहरूमा रेमिट्यान्स रेमिट्यान प्राप्त गर्ने घरलाई मात्र नभएर राष्ट्रकै लागि पनि अत्यन्तै महत्त्वपूर्ण श्रोत मानिदै आएको छ | 

नेपाली कामदारहरू भारत तथा खाडी मुलुकहरूमा काम गरिरहेका छन् । विगत ३ वर्षमा वैदेशिक रोजगार विभागले भारतबाहेक अन्य देशमा जानका लागि १० लाखभन्दा बढीलाई श्रम स्वीकृती प्रदान गरिसकेको छ । सन् २०१५ देखि यता करिव ३५,००० जना कामदारहरू दक्षिण कोरियामा श्रमका लागि प्रवेश गरिसकेका छन् | दैनिक एक हजारभन्दा बढी नेपाली श्रमिकहरू वैदेशिक रोजगारको सिलसिलामा देश बाहिर जान्छन् । कोभिड- १९ महामारीले यो संख्यामा पनि प्रभाव परिरहेको छ जसको सिधा असर रेमिट्यान्समा पर्छ | 

विदेशमै रहेका नेपालीहरुले काम पाइरहेका छैनन् भने कति त देश फिर्ता नै आइसकेका छन् । २० प्रतिशत भन्दाबढी नेपाली विदेशमा बेरोजगार बस्न बाध्य छन् । रेमिट्यान्स आर्जन गर्ने नेपाली श्रमिकहरूको पछिल्लो अवस्था सोचनीय छ | आधारभूत मानवीय आवश्यकताहरूमा समेत सम्झौता गरेर बसिरहनु परेको छ | घर फर्किने सम्म अवस्था नभएको हुँदा महिनौँसम्म विदेशमा अड्किएका उदाहरणहरू  हामीले प्रशस्तै पाएका छौँ । महामारीले गर्दा रोजगारीमा आएको समस्याले दीर्घकालीन असर पर्ने निश्चित छ ।

Cross Border Remittance and Role of Digital Wallet

As one of the important indicator showing relationship between migration and development, remittance plays a vital role in driving economic growth and prosperity mostly for the developing countries. Cross border remittance provide fuel for global economic growth. In many countries, the remittance contributes substantial portion of Gross Domestic Product making it one of the major factor for their economic stability.

With digitization taking over the world, the remittance industry too gradually started moving towards same. New fintech players have entered market with new digital remittance models with lower cost and better services. A new concept of getting the remittance amount directly into their mobile wallet came into existence which significantly changed the process of receiving and sending remittance.

Large number of mobile money operators started partnering with money transfer operators with the motive of facilitating international remittance payment. Today, wallet-to-wallet cross-border remittance service has been seen as a tremendous opportunity that has benefitted customers by making transfers easier, safer and faster.

In the context of Nepal which is one of the top 20 countries in the world that receives the highest amount of remittance, the wallet-to-wallet cross border service and real-time account deposit facility has played a significant role in remittance enhancement.

Globally, almost $2.1 billion money gets transacted every day via mobile and $1 billion international remittance gets transferred everyday through the same. This indicates that the trend of receiving or sending remittance directly into their digital wallets have increased tremendously making it a part of people’s livelihood.

The spike in usage of digital wallet was significantly high during the pandemic as a result of which digital transaction became necessity rather than an option. Covid 19 created new financial challenges and exacerbated the existing ones. Those who were dependent on traditional methods of send/receive money took a leap and started accepting the digital mediums. The acceptance rate of mobile money increased as the physical movement of people decreased due to the ongoing pandemic. In 2020, the number of registered accounts increased by 12.7 % i.e. to 1.21 billion accounts around the globe which was double than what was forecasted.

With the increase in the trend of carrying out financial transactions whether it be merchant payments, top-ups, utility bill payments through mobile wallets, the policy makers started recognizing the need to secure the authentication channel which indeed helped cross-border remittance to take off. Moreover, new partnerships and collaborations led to greater connectivity between mobile money users and diasporas networks resulting in greater flexibility.

Thus, with continuing innovations like that of digital wallets, the remittance industry will continue to grow. 

What is Remittance? Types of Remittance Explained.

Every now and then we come across newspaper headlines that reads “Sharpest decline in Remittance” “Decline in Remittance predicted” “Economy fall due to remittance decline” and many more of such. Before we talk about how economy gets impacted due to fall or rise in remittance, we need to understand what remittance actually is.

What is Remittance?

Regarding the word formation, the term is derived from the word “remit” meaning “to send back”. Thus, in simple words, remittance refers to the act of transferring or sending certain amount of money by one party to the other. Most often people consider the transfer of funds overseas as remittance but the transfer within the country also comes under the same. As the trend of foreign migration is escalating, mostly among the working age group more so from the developing nations, the word “remittance” today has become a common household term. As a non-residents national, people face the need to send across money back home to their families for different purpose of life.

How helpful is remittance?

The remittance facility has been one of the major boon for most families of developing nations. These remittance facilities have helped most families to sustain their livelihood as well as improve their living standard. Most families of developing nations depend on the money sent by their family members back home in order to fulfill their basic and additional needs. Not just families, but remittance facility also play a very important in economic growth, development of the country. Similar to many developing nations like Haiti, Kyrgyzstan and Honduras; Nepal’s economy also relies on remittances. Almost 30% of Nepal’s GDP is contributed by remittance indicating it to be one of the most important source of revenue.

What are the types of remittance?

Since we have learned what remittance is and its role in economic growth, infrastructural development of a nation, let’s find out the different types of remittance based on the process of transaction. Based on same, remittance is divided into two different categories:

  • Inward Remittance
  • Outward Remittance

Inward Remittance:

The term inward remittance indicates transfer of funds from one account to another either domestically or internationally. In order to understand inward remittance, an easy example has to be the fact that most of the families have children living abroad either for work or study purpose and when they send money back home, it is termed as inward remittance for the family at home country. Likewise, when parents send across money to their children, it becomes inward remittance for them.

Outward Remittance:

The transfer of funds out of the country or overseas is termed as outward remittance. For instance, if parents transfer funds from their account to their children’s foreign account in order to support them, that becomes outward remittance for the parents. Outward remittance is applicable for the countries that send money whereas inward remittance is applicable to those countries that receive the same.

Keytakeaways:

  • A remittance refers to the money sent by one party to another within or outside the country.
  • Remittance is one of the important source of revenue for a country and plays a vital role in its economic growth and development.
  • There are two types of remittance: Inward Remittance and Outward Remittance

Impact of Covid-19 on Migrant Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic is regarded as one of the most serious global health catastrophes of the century. The greatest threat to humanity since the Second World War. Following the damages done, this new infectious respiratory disease that surfaced in Wuhan, China in December 2019 has been recognized by the World Health Organization and was officially declared a pandemic on January 30, 2020.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the global distribution chain for goods and services, compromising people’s incomes and livelihoods. The position of transnational migrant workers, who have found themselves in the middle of a pandemic in another country, often out of job and living in the most perilous conditions, is of great concern. The pandemic is predicted to have a long-term impact on Nepal, which relies largely on remittances from workers abroad to keep its economy afloat.  

Foreign employment has been prioritized as a source of labor absorption and economic empowerment in the national poverty reduction strategy. In recent years, Nepali people have mostly sought employment in India, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Malaysia. More than 1 million labour permits were issued by the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) for employment in countries other than India in the 24 months prior to the lockdown imposed in Nepal and most destination countries in March 2020, according to data from the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). Since 2015, just over 35,000 workers have gone to South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS).

Three million Nepali people have been estimated to be in foriegn nations working and sending money back home and an average of 1000+ Nepali people go abroad on a daily basis for employment opportunities. Even though the migration rate for foreign employment last year saw a serious drop due to the Covid-19 pandemic with only 166,698 people leaving Nepal and a slight drop in remittance rate, the inflow still managed to pick itself up and top the charts. 

However, as a result of COVID-19, a large number of Nepali migrant workers have lost their jobs, and many have been obliged to seek unpaid leave or return home before their contract period is out. Approximately 20% of Nepali people living overseas are said to be unemployed. Workers have not received their wages or other benefits, and they are unable to access basic amenities, such as health facilities, while working and putting their health at risk.

Returning home was out of the question for many stranded migrants for months, exposing them to a slew of problems and hardships. The government has announced plans for the repatriation of stranded migrant workers, but while implementation will be difficult logistically, there is also a potential that thousands of migrants could be denied their due wages and benefits. The fall in demand for employees, both at home and in destination countries, will have short and long-term consequences due to the severe constraints faced by the commercial and industrial sectors.

IME garaun, Crorepati Banaun

IME Limited, the number 1 remittance company in Nepal, recently unveiled its mega campaign that aims to simplify and enhance the financial experience of its customers and one lucky winner will win NPR 1 crore.

IME Limited, the number 1 remittance company in Nepal, recently unveiled its mega campaign that aims to simplify and enhance the financial experience of its customers. This campaign represents a bold move in the company’s ongoing commitment to improving financial services and making them more accessible to everyone.

Mega Campaign Details:

  • One lucky winner has the chance to win NPR 1 crore rupees.
  • Monthly Winner: Every month during the mega campaign, 1 winner can win NPR 1 lakh.
  • Daily Winners: For two months during the major festivals of Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, there will be 30 daily winners who can receive exciting gift hampers.
  • The campaign’s primary goal is to promote the use of IME’s secure and reliable digital money transfer services.
  • To participate in the campaign, customers only need to send money via IME Remit from abroad. The more they send, the higher their chances of winning.
  • The mega campaign will run for 12 months, starting from Ashoj 2nd, 2080.

Terms And Conditions for the Mega Campaign:

  • The offer is valid from Ashoj 2nd, 2080, to Ashoj 1st, 2081.
  • Senders must be Nepali citizens.
  • All payment methods sent through IME (Cash, Bank Deposit, and IMEPAY wallet) are eligible for this campaign.
  • IME’s founders, employees within the IME Group, business partners, and anyone affiliated with IME are not eligible to participate.
  • Customers are required to keep the original remittance voucher transmitted through any IME agent network secure during the campaign’s announcement period.
  • The winning prize will be sent upon receiving the authorized nomination letter from the sender.
  • Winners must claim their prizes within two months of the announcement. Failure to do so gives IME the right to cancel the prize.
  • A 25% tax deduction will be made from the prizes in accordance with the Government of Nepal’s rules.

Terms And Conditions for the Festive Campaign:

  • The offer is valid from the 14th of Ashoj, 2080, to the 14th of Mangshir, 2080.
  • Senders should be Nepali citizens.

IME Digital Teej

IME Digital Teej is targeted for female audience who receive Remittance in IME Pay. The campaign is aimed to run for a months duration from Bhadra 1st till Bhadra 31st 2080.

Terms and Conditions:

  • All IME customers who send money from abroad to Nepal will be eligible to participate in the campaign.
  • Mode of transaction made will only be receiving remittance in IME Pay.
  • The founders of IME, employees working in IME Group, business partners of IME (agent partners), and anyone associated with IME will not be eligible to participate in this campaign.
  • The customers will have to keep the required proof of payment secure during the announcement period of the campaign.
  • The winner should claim the prize within 1 month of the winner’s announcement. If the winner does not claim the prize within the stipulated time, IME reserves the right to cancel the prize.

डिजिटल रेमिट्यान्सले अनौपचारिक कारोबार घटाउँछ

आईएमई रेमिटका प्रमुख कार्यकारी अधिकृत खिलेन्द्र पौडेलसँग रेमिट्यान्स आप्रवाह, अर्थतन्त्रमा रेमिट्यान्सले पार्ने प्रभावका विषयमा रातोपाटीले गरेको संवादको सम्पादित अंश

कोभिड महामारीले रेमिट्यान्स आप्रवाह रोकिँदा नेपालको अर्थतन्त्र समस्यामा परेको थियो । फेरि रेमिट्यान्सले नै अर्थतन्त्रलाई सहज स्थितिमा पुर्याइदियो । यस्तो अवस्थामा रेमिट्यान्सलाई अर्थतन्त्रको ‘प्राणवायु’ भन्न मिल्छ ?

ब्रिटिसको पालादेखि नै नेपालबाट वैदेशिक रोजगारीमा जाने क्रम थियो । नेपाललाई कृषि प्रधान देश भनिए पनि नेपालीहरू रोजगारीका लागि विदेशिने क्रम अहिलेसम्म जारी छ । तर यो क्रममा कोरोना महामारीका समयमा फरक देखियो । एसियाली विकास बैङ्कको प्रतिवेदनले पनि कोरोनाकालमा विदेशमा रोजगारीमा पुगेकाहरू आफ्नो देशमा फर्किन्छन् भन्ने प्रक्षेपण गरेको थियो । कोभिडको समयमा स्वदेश फर्कनेहरू बढे भने विदेश जानेहरूको सङ्ख्यासमेत घट्यो । फलस्वरूप उक्त समयमा रेमिट्यान्स आप्रवाहमा कमी आयो । अनि विस्तारै कोभिडपछाडि विदेशिने क्रम बढ्यो र रेमिट्यान्सको ट्रेन्ड फेरि बढ्यो ।

अहिले नेपालको अर्थतन्त्र त रेमिट्यान्सबिना चल्नै नसक्ने अवस्थामा पुग्यो नि हैन ? रेमिट्यान्स बढ्दा र घट्दा के हुन्छ भन्ने छिल्लो उदाहरणले त्यही देखायो । रेमिट्यान्सलाई प्राणवायु भन्न मिल्छ ?

अर्थतन्त्रको अहिलेको अवस्था हेर्दा कुल गार्हस्थ उत्पादनमा रेमिट्यान्सको २३ प्रतिशतको योगदान छ । रेमिट्यान्सबाट आउने डलर पनि उच्च छ । पछिल्लो ५–६ वर्षको तथ्याङ्क हेर्दा योगदान खुम्चिँदो अवस्थामा छ । तर नेपालमा अन्य विकल्प नभएका कारणले विदेशिनुको विकल्प नै छैन । गत वर्षको एउटा तथ्याङ्कअनुसार ४ लाखले ‘प्लस टु’ सक्दा दुई लाख पचास हजार जना बाहिरिएको पाइएको थियो । यसले नयाँ पुस्ताले नेपालमा आफ्नो भविष्य देख्न छाडेको हो कि भन्ने देखिन्छ । यस्तै पछिल्लो समय उच्च शिक्षा हासिल गरेर विदेशिनेको क्रम बढी छ भने युरोपतर्फ रोजगारीमा जानेहरूको सङ्ख्या पनि बढेको छ ।

यसको अर्थ नेपालबाट वैदेशिक रोजगारीमा जानेहरूको ट्रेन्ड र छनोट परिवर्तन भएको हो ?

दक्ष जनशक्ति त यसअघिदेखि नै युरोपतर्फ गइरहेका थिए । तर खाडी मुलुकमा पाउने कामदारले पाउने तलबको तुलनामा युरोप, क्यानडामा र अस्ट्रेलियामा बढी पाउँछन् । यस्तै ५–७ वर्ष बसेपछि ‘पर्मानेन्ट रेसिडेन्स’ (पीआर) पनि लिन पाउने भएकाले नयाँ पुस्ताको रोजाइ उता देखिन्छ ।

खाडीको तुलनामा युरोप जानेहरूको सङ्ख्या उकालो लागेपछि भावि दिनमा थोरै मानिसले धेरै रेमिट्यान्स पठाउँछन् भन्ने अपेक्षा गरौँ । अहिले चाहिँ कुन क्षेत्रबाट कति रेमिट्यान्स आउने गरेको छ ?

राष्ट्र बैङ्कले महिनैपिच्छे निकाल्ने तथ्याङ्कअनुसार ६० प्रतिशत हाराहारी रेमिट्यान्स खाडीबाट आउने गरेको छ । खाडी मुलुकमा पीआर लिने, बस्ने र खर्च गर्ने प्रचलन पनि छैन । उनीहरूले सबै रकम घरमा पठाउँछन् । खाडी मुलुकमा दक्ष जनशक्तिले राम्रै कमाइ गर्छ । तर अर्ध दक्ष र अदक्षले भने न्यून कमाइ गर्छन् । तर युरोप छिरेकाहरूले भविष्यमा उतै बस्ने लक्ष्यसहित रकम जम्मासमेत गरेर राख्छन् ।

एकताका नेपालको अर्थतन्त्र श्रीलङ्काको जस्तै टाट पल्टिन्छ भन्ने व्यापक हल्ला थियो । तर रेमिट्यान्सको आप्रवाह विस्तारै बढ्दा त्यो स्थितिमा पुगेनौँ । थप एक वर्षसम्म मात्रै रेमिट्यान्स नबढेको भए के हुन्थ्यो होला ?

सकारात्मक ढङ्गबाट हेर्दा हाम्रो अर्थतन्त्र श्रीलङ्काकै जस्तै हुने बाटोमा थिएन । केन्द्रीय बैङ्कले आयात नरोकेको भए र सरकारले आयात प्रतिबन्ध नलगाएको भए अलि कठिन अवस्थामा चाहिँ जान सक्थ्यौँ । तर विस्तारै रेमिट्यान्स बढ्न थाल्यो र अर्थतन्त्र सही गतिमा अघि बढ्न थाल्यो । तर यो अवस्थालाई हटाउनका लागि हामीले उत्पादनको क्षेत्रमा लगानी बढाउँदै लानु पर्छ । त्यो अवधिको कुरा गर्दा चाहिँ नेपालको अर्थतन्त्र श्रीलङ्का जस्तो बन्दैनथ्यो । 

वैदेशिक रोजगारीमा जानेहरूको एउटा ‘ऋण चक्र’ पनि छ । त्यो ऋण चक्रका कारणले पनि रेमिट्यान्स लगानी नभई खर्चमा सकिएको हुन सक्छ । यसमा सरकारले कस्तो भूमिका खेल्नु पर्छ ?

इजरायलको कुरा गर्दा उनीहरूले माटो आयात गरेर खेती गर्दै आइरहेका छन् । तर नेपालमा चार सिजन नै खेती गर्न सकिन्छ । यस्तो अवस्थामा सरकारले वैदेशिक रोजगारबाट सिप सिकेर आएको हुन्छ, उसलाई प्राथमिकतामा राख्नु पर्छ । सिप सिकेर आएकाहरूलाई कम्पनी खोल्न र लगानी गर्न फास्ट ट्रयाकमा सेवा सुविधा दिने हो भने अहिलेको खर्चमै सकिने रेमिट्यान्स लगानीमा समेत परिणत हुन सक्छ ।

अहिले वैदेशिक रोजगारीमा गएकाहरूलाई १० प्रतिशतको साधारण सेयर (आईपीओ) कोटा छ । थप लगानी बढाउन कस्तो व्यवस्था गर्नुपर्छ ?

हामीले विगत ५–७ वर्षअघिदेखि नै रेमिट्यान्स सङ्घमार्फत र कम्पनीले छुट्टाछुट्टै पनि रेमिट्यान्स पठाउनेलाई विशेष व्यवस्था गर्नुपर्छ भन्दै आइरहेका छौँ । पाकिस्तानमा रेमिट्यान्स पठाउनेलाई निश्चित छुट छ । श्रीलङ्कामा सरकारले प्रिमियम रेट उपलब्ध गराएको छ । फिलिपिन्समा रेमिट्यान्स पठाउनेलाई रातो कार्पेट ओछ्याउँछ । हामीले यो तहसम्म पुग्न तत्कालको अपेक्षा त गरेका छैनौँ । तर पासपोर्ट नवीकरण, श्रम स्वीकृतिलगायतका काममा सहजीकरणको माग गरेका थियौँ । आईपीओमा १० प्रतिशतको कोटा पनि गत वर्षदेखि हो ।

अन्य देशमा यस्ता सुविधा हुँदा नेपालमा चाहिँ रोजगारीका लागि विदेशिने युवालाई हेप्ने, होच्याउने काम विमानस्थलमा हुन्छ । यसबाट रेमिट्यान्स पठाउनेहरूको मनोभावनामा प्रभाव पर्दैन ?

यो अलि पहिलाको विषय हो । पछिल्लो ६ महिना, १ वर्षयता केही परिवर्तन भएको छ । श्रम स्वीकृति पनि अनलाइनबाटै लिन मिल्छ भने विमानस्थलमा पनि राम्रो व्यवहार गर्न थालिएको छ । तर यही कारणले मात्रै रेमिट्यान्स पठाउँदिनँ भन्न मिल्ने अवस्था हुँदैन । किनभने ऋण लिएर रोजगारीका लागि जाँदा त्यसको चुक्ता गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ । यस्तै छोराछोरी पढाउने, श्रीमान श्रीमती सहरमा बस्ने, बा आमालगायतलाई रकम त पठाउनै पर्ने हुन्छ ।

एमडीएमएस लागु गर्दा दुईवटा मोबाइल ल्याउन नदिने भन्दै भन्सारले कडाइ गरेपछि ‘नो रेमिट्यान्स’ को ह्विम चलेको थियो । त्यो प्रभावकारी हुन्थ्यो भने नेपाललाई समस्या पथ्र्यो ?

अहिले सामाजिक सञ्जालको पहुँच धेरै भएकाले ‘नो रेमिट्यान्स’ को विषयसमेत सुनिएको हो । तर त्यसको प्रभाव खास ठूलो हुँदैनथ्यो । मैले अघि पनि भने वैदेशिक रोजगारीमा जानेहरूले आफ्नो घरखर्च चलाउनकै लागि पनि रकम पठाउनै पर्छ । यद्यपि अहिले सन् २००० का मान्छेहरू बाहिर जान लागेका छन् । यसअघि १९८०÷९० दशकका मान्छे विदेश जान्थे । यसबाट सामाजिक सञ्जालमा प्रभाव त पर्छ नै । तर पनि रेमिट्यान्स नपठाउने भन्ने हुँदैन ।

पछिल्लो तथ्याङ्क हेर्दा रोजगारीका लागि विदेश जानेको सङ्ख्या वृद्धि र सोअनुसारको रेमिट्यान्स आप्रवाहको वृद्धि हेर्दा कता–कता तालमेल नभएको जस्तो पनि देखिन्छ ? यो अनौपचारिक रेमिट्यान्सको प्रभाव हो कि ?

अघिल्लो वर्षको तथ्याङ्कअनुसार करिब ६ लाख हाराहारी मानिस विदेश गएका थिए । गत वर्षको तथ्याङ्कअनुसार ७ लाख १३ हजार आसपास विदेश पुगेका छन् । यसअनुसार ठूलो वृद्धि त छैन । तर पनि विदेश पुग्नसाथ श्रमिकले रेमिट्यान्स पठाउन थाल्दैनन् । विदेश पुगेको ३ देखि ६ महिनादेखि मात्रै रेमिट्यान्स आउन थाल्छ । विदेश पुगेको ३ महिनासम्म आफ्नो व्यवस्था मिलाउनुपर्ने हुन्छ । यसकारण जाने मान्छेको ट्रेन्ड हेर्दा विस्तारै रेमिट्यान्स आउँछ ।

तर पनि अनौपचारिक माध्यमबाट रेमिट्यान्स बाहिरिन्छ भन्न त सकिँदैन नि । किनकि अलि धेरै कमाइ हुने देशबाट सोही तुलनामा रेमिट्यान्स नआएको भन्ने बुझिन्छ नि ?

सुरुमा औपचारिक रेमिट्यान्स कम्पनी नहुँदा अनौपचारिक माध्यमबाट आउँथ्यो होला । तर अहिले त्यस्तो छैन । तपाईंले भने जस्तो विषय चाहिँ अस्ट्रेलियामा पनि अझै छ । किनभने त्यो देशको नीति कडा छैन । यही कारण त्यो देशमा छ । अन्यथा अन्य मुलुकमा यस्तो समस्या छैन । पहिला पहिला क्यास पैसा जम्मा गरेर काउन्टरमा जानुपर्ने हुन्थ्यो । यतिबेला भने ‘डिजिटल रेमिट्यान्स’ को प्रचलन सुरु भइसकेको छ । अब सिधै बैङ्क खातामा रकम जम्मा हुन्छ । यसबाट पनि अनौपचारिक कारोबार रोकथाममा सहयोग पुग्छ । यसमा हामी किन ढुक्का छौँ भने साउदीमा डेढ, दुई सय किलोमिटर टाढा क्याम्प हुन्छ । त्यो देशमा सयौँ कामदारले एजेन्टलाई पैसा दिएर काउन्टरमा पठाउँथे । यसबाट अनौपचारिक कारोबारमा सम्भावना हुन्थ्यो । अहिले डिजिटल रेमिट्यान्स सुरु भएपछि यो अन्त्य भएको छ ।

अहिले ‘क्यास’ र ‘डिजिटल’ रेमिट्यान्सबीचको फरक चाहिँ कति छ ?

भारतको उदाहरण हेर्दा अहिले बैङ्क डिपोजिट र डिजिटल रेमिट्यान्सको हिस्सा ७० प्रतिशत र क्यास रेमिट्यान्सको हिस्सा ३० प्रतिशत छ । तर नेपालमा ठीक उल्टो छ । पछिल्लो ५–७ वर्षको तथ्याङ्क र कोभिड पछाडिको तथ्याङ्क हेर्दा ठूलो परिवर्तन आइरहेको छ । अबको ५ वर्षपछिको समयमा भने नेपालले डिजिटल रेमिट्यान्समा ठूलो फड्को मार्छ ।

बजारमा एउटा हल्ला पनि सुनिन्छ । त्यो हल्ला अनौपचारिक रेमिट्यान्स भित्र्याउन रेमिट कम्पनी नै संलग्न हुन्छन् भनिन्छ । यो के होला ?

यसअघि हामीले पनि यस्तै हल्ला सुन्थ्यौँ । त्यसपछि केन्द्रीय बैङ्कसँग छलफल गरेर रेमिट्यान्स कम्पनीलाई हेर्न छुट्टै निकायको माग गर्यौं । राष्ट्र बैङ्कले सोअनुसार कडिकडाउ गर्यो र बैङ्क फाइनान्सियल कम्पनीकारूपमा हेर्न थाल्यो । यसका लागि एउटा डिपार्टमेन्ट नै खडा भएको छ । अडिटका लागि पनि केन्द्रीय बैङ्क एग्रेसिभ छ । यही विषय परिवर्तन गर्न पनि रेमिट कम्पनी पब्लिक लिमिटेड बन्नु पर्छ भनेर आईएमई रेमिट पब्लिक कम्पनी बनिसकेको छ । पब्लिक कम्पनी बन्ने यो नेपालको पहिलो रेमिट कम्पनी हुने छ । स्थापनाको २३ वर्षपछि हामी पब्लिकमा जान लागेका हौँ ।

Source : Ratopati