FNCCI president meets Qatar Chamber chairman in Doha

• Nepal-Qatar Joint Business Council meeting to be held in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani met in Doha on Sunday to discuss strengthening economic and business relations and enhancing bilateral cooperation.

FNCCI President Dhakal said they agreed to hold the next meeting of the Nepal–Qatar Joint Business Council (JBC) in Kathmandu in the near future. He described the JBC as a crucial mechanism for promoting trade and investment between the two countries and emphasised the need to finalise its membership list promptly to improve its effectiveness.

Praising Qatar’s support in establishing the JBC, Dhakal urged Qatari investors to explore opportunities in Nepal’s hydropower, solar energy, information technology, fintech and agriculture-based industries. “There are investment opportunities in many sectors in Nepal. I invite Qatari investors to invest in hydropower, solar energy, information technology, fintech and agriculture-based industries,” he said.

He also highlighted FNCCI’s ongoing digital transformation and proposed collaboration with the Qatar Chamber on AI-based business facilitation tools, blockchain-based trade documentation systems and digital platforms for business matching and investment promotion. “Your support, based on Qatar’s experience in adopting advanced digital technology, will be an invaluable help in making the FNCCI a modern, technology-friendly organisation,” he added.

Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa confirmed that the JBC mechanism will be finalised and made more effective. Dhakal reported that Al Thani also committed to initiatives aimed at strengthening economic and business relations with Nepal and to continuing such meetings and discussions.

Dhakal invited the Qatar Chamber and the Qatari business community to participate in the Nepal International Economic Summit (NIES), scheduled to take place in Kathmandu in February next year. He said a special Qatar-focused investment session will form part of the summit to boost economic ties further. “The Nepal–Qatar partnership can be elevated to new heights through investment, innovation and cooperation. There is great potential to increase access for Nepali agricultural products such as tea, coffee, cardamom, herbs and processed foods to the Qatari market,” he said.

He proposed collaboration on certification, standardisation and joint branding initiatives to ensure these products meet international standards. Other senior officials and businesspeople from the Qatar Chamber also attended the meeting.