Doha: In accordance with its vision for international relations, the State of Qatar has always been keen on building a robust network of foreign relations and is working to strengthen these relations through engagement and openness towards many fraternal and friendly nations and peoples, in addition to advancing cooperation with them in multiple fields to serve shared interests, objectives and aspirations.
In confirmation of these orientations, comes the visit of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Nepal within His Highness Asia trip, where His Highness is set to hold a session of official talks in the capital Kathmandu with President H E Ram Chandra Poudel to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them, in addition to a range of regional and global issues of shared interest.
The visit of H H the Amir and the discussions he is set to hold with the Nepali officials are expected to broaden the horizons of the relations between the two countries, especially in economy, trade, energy, and investment fields.
The Qatar-Nepal relations date back to more than forty years, as the two nations established their diplomatic relations on Jan. 21, 1977. Since then, the bilateral relations and cooperation have evolved through years until became rock solid at all levels based on understanding and mutual respect.
The two countries share an array of agreements and memorandums of understanding in economic, trade, labour, sporting spheres, along with agreements on the cancellation of visa requirements for those who hold diplomatic and official passports, as well as cooperation in the areas of agriculture, food security and aviation services.
The relations between Doha and Kathmandu have been strengthened throughout the past years through shared visits of high-ranking officials in the two countries, including the visit of HE former President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari to Doha during the period Oct. 30 to November 2, 2018.
Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a session of official talks with H E Bidya Devi Bhandari at the Amiri Diwan during which they discussed avenues to upgrade bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of investment, education, agriculture, food security and exchange of expertise, especially that the State of Qatar hosts sheer number of Nepali manpower.
During these talks, the Former Nepali President hailed the steadfast efforts made by the State of Qatar to protect the rights of expatriate workers in Qatar, including the Nepali ones, noting the legislations and measures enforced by Qatar in this regard.
Also, Her Excellency met with a delegation from Qatar Chamber (QC), alongside Qatari businessmen at Sheraton Grand Doha and discussed ways to boost economic and trade ties between the two countries.
Her Excellency urged the Qatari businessmen to invest in Nepal, describing the investment climate there as secure. She affirmed that the Nepali government would guarantee these investments, highlighting that numerous international firms were operating in Nepal.
Last November, political discussions were held in Kathmandu between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in the two countries co-chaired by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi and HE Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bharat Raj Paudyal during which they discussed cooperative relationships and ways to reinforce them.
Last January, QC and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI) discussed reinforcing cooperation and investment opportunities available in the two countries, in addition to the most critical and promising sectors for cooperation and partnership between the Qatari private sector and its Nepali counterpart.
This came during the meeting of Acting Director General of QC, Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansouri with a Nepali delegation led by HE President of FNCCI Chandra Prasad Dhakal.
In April 2018, QC and FNCCI inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Doha with the objective of enhancing cooperation and forging economic partnerships between the business owners in the two countries. The MoU came within the framework of encouraging businessmen in the two countries to forge investment partnerships that would lend impetus to bilateral relations and increase the volume of trade exchange.
The trade relations between Qatar and Nepal are constantly evolving with the Nepal’s main exports to Qatar including cloth and textile, magnetic storage discs, vegetables, and other goods. Nepals imports from Qatar include polyethylene, polypropylene, and some food products.
Nepal is a landlocked country located between India and China whose area is estimated at more than 147,000 sq. km. Its population is estimated at more than 30 million people. It embraces a rugged mountainous land, consisting of high chains that include Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world, which reaches a height of 8,848 meters above sea level.
Agriculture is the major activity in Nepal undertaken by three quarters of the population. It constitutes nearly 35% of the gross domestic product (GDP), while industrial activity is focused on the manufacture of agricultural machinery. Agriculture, tourism, and remittances from Nepalese workers abroad constitute the core pillars of the economy and national income in Nepal.
The country abounds with enormous potential for investment in multiple fields, such as water, infrastructure, tourism, and mining industry, as well as hydroelectric power generation fields.
Nepal gives foremost priority to the economic development under “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali” mantra. It believes in the fact that such an ambition cannot be achieved unless cooperation is forged with friendly nations, therefore, the country opens its doors to investors and asserts that its lands abound with promising investment opportunities, especially in the field of hydropower, infrastructure, agriculture, as well as the tourism sector, with the latter constituting roughly 24% of Nepalese national income. It is home to the highest mountains in the world.
