The four-day global Nepali extravaganza in Kathmandu has ended with the organisers ecstatic about the outcome. The First Non-Resident Nepali Conference managed to get a government commitment on treating overseas Nepali investment as foreign direct investment, an agreement on a legal framework for future projects and even issuance of a special ID card for people of Nepali origin. Although dual citizenship got a lot of media attention, it wasn't pursued with too much vigour by delegates.

"We are overwhelmed by the response and by the cooperation and help shown by the government," said Bhim Udas of the international coordination committee. "It was much better than we expected."

The conference has already announced projects funded by NRNs including a 200-room old peoples' home in Bharatpur, an ICT venture and possibly a hydropower investment.

The government has promised the delegates to instate a separate law for NRNs. "An official committee is being formed to look after the recommendations made by the conference," said Yogendra Shakya, conference moderator . "But, the ball is in the NRN's court to prove that they will do what they say."