Banking News – The Government of Nepal has rescued 836 Nepali nationals who had become victims of online scam operations in border areas of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced on Friday.

Speaking at the ministry’s regular press briefing, MoFA Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel said the rescued individuals include 709 from Cambodia, 113 from Myanmar, eight from Laos, and six from Thailand.

“We have continued coordinating with relevant authorities to rescue Nepali citizens trapped in various online scam centers operating in the border areas of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, while also carrying out public awareness initiatives on the issue,” Paudel said.

The ministry also revealed that, following continuous requests from the Nepali Embassy, the Cambodian government has been discussing measures to waive visa overstay fees and penalties imposed on stranded Nepali nationals.

According to Paudel, Cambodia has already waived visa fees and penalties for 602 Nepalis this year.

Economic Diplomacy Strategy Expanded

The Foreign Ministry said it is strengthening Nepal’s economic diplomacy by preparing country-specific strategies.

During Fiscal Year 2024/25 (2081/82 BS), Nepal developed separate economic diplomacy strategies for 10 countries—India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Germany, Belgium, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. The ministry plans to prepare similar strategies for 10 additional countries this fiscal year, bringing the total to 20 country-specific strategies.

Passport Services to Become More Accessible

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient, accessible, and technology-driven passport services through the Department of Passports.

To modernize passport services, the government has published a draft amendment to the Passport Act, 2019 (2076 BS) on its website for public feedback and has submitted it to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for consultation and approval.

Paudel also said that an agreement signed with the Department of Postal Services on July 3 (Asar 19) has already come into effect. Under the arrangement, newly printed passports will be delivered more quickly to district and area administration offices.

In addition, the ministry has initiated the process to allow Nepali citizens to apply for passports from any district or area administration office, regardless of their permanent residence.

“Wherever citizens are residing, they will be able to submit passport applications at the nearest district or area administration office. Work on implementing this system is currently underway,” Paudel said.