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Nepal-Qatar Relations
Political
The diplomatic relations between Nepal and Qatar were established on 21 January 1977. Thereafter the friendly ties between the two countries have always remained cordial. The friendship between Nepal and Qatar are based on trust, understanding and cordiality. Both countries have played active role in the United Nations system and Non-Aligned Movement. At the United Nations and other international fora Nepal and Qatar hold similar views on many issues including promotion of peace and security in the world. The Qatari Ambassador based in New Delhi is concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Nepal.
Memorandum of Understanding on Consultation Mechanism between Foreign Ministries of Government of the Kingdom of Nepal and the Government of the State of Qatar was signed on June 16, 2005.
Visits
The exchange of visits and contacts at various levels has been instrumental in strengthening the bonds of friendship.
- Private visits paid by His Late Majesty King Birendra in 1999 and by then His Late Royal Highness the Crown Prince Dipendra in January 2000 generated tremendous goodwill between Nepal and Qatar.
- The then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala paid a visit to Qatar in 1998 following the 12th NAM Summit held in Durban, South Africa.
- After the killing of 12 Nepalese nationals by terrorists in Iraq, a high level delegation headed by then Minister for Information and Communication Dr. Mohmad Mohsin visited Qatar in 2004. The delegation included then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat and then Minister of State for Labour and Transport Management Mr. Urba Dutt Pant.
- Hon. Ramesh Nath Panday, Minister for Foreign Affairs visited the State of Qatar in March 2005. On the occasion, the much-awaited Labour Agreement between Nepal and Qatar was signed.
- His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah paid an official visit to the State of Qatar in June 13-17, 2005 to participate in the Second South Summit of G-77 in Doha. During the visit, two agreements: Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation between Government of Nepal and the Government of the State of Qatar were signed.
- His Majesty King Gyanendra and Her Majesty Queen Komal visited the State of Qatar on November 14-15, 2005.
- Hon. Ramesh Nath Panday, Minister for Foreign Affairs visited the State of Qatar in November 2005.
Economic and Commerce
Both Nepal and Qatar are endowed with natural resources. There is ample scope of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment and manpower utilization. Thousands of Nepalese labourers are working in Qatar.
The trade between Nepal and Qatar has remained in favour of Qatar. Nepal exported items of Rs 621,397 in the period of 2003/04. The major export items included garment of textile fabric and rubberized textile fabric, CD cassette, vegetables. Salt Trading Corporation has opened its office in Doha last year to export vegetables. At the same period, Nepal imported items of Rs 162,000,896. Major imported items were polyethylene, Colour Television, Polypropylene, Gold, VCRs, and Parts of VCRs. The trade deficit stood at Rs 161,379,499. Nepal should explore the ways to fill the gap of trade deficit by increasing export to Qatar.
To enhance the economic cooperation between two countries, Government of the Kingdom of Nepal and the Government of the State of Qatar have signed following agreements:
- Memorandum of Understanding on Consultation Mechanism between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.
- Air Services Agreement
- Labour Agreement
- Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation
Tourism Prospects
The number of tourists from Qatar visiting Nepal is still very small, because most of the Qataris have not known much about Nepal. The direct air service linking Kathmandu and Doha has served much in this respect. The opening of the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Doha on 11 July 2000 has further contributed positively towards promoting Nepal by disseminating relevant information to the Qatari nationals and expatriates in Qatar.
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