Qatari delegation engages in high-level meetings at FNCCI’s initiative

KATHMANDU: A Qatari delegation arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to attend Joint Business Council (JBC) meetings between Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI). The council’s meetings were scheduled for February 9 and 10.

The delegation on Monday held a series of high‑level meetings to discuss expanding economic, tourism and aviation cooperation between Nepal and Qatar, the FNCCI said.

The delegation met government officials and private sector representatives at Singha Durbar. Participants included Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Anil Kumar Sinha; Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai; FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal; Qatar’s ambassador to Nepal, Mishal bin Mohammed Ali Al Ansari; QCCI board member Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly; and representatives from Qatar Airways.

At the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in economic development, tourism promotion, flight expansion and civil aviation. Officials explored options to increase the frequency of direct flights between Nepal and Qatar, add new destinations and pursue collaboration between Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and Qatar Airways.

On the occasion, Minister Sinha said the government is prioritising policy reforms and facilitation to expand tourism, investment and trade. He stressed the role of international carriers in operating Nepal’s new airports at full capacity and singled out Qatar Airways as a potential partner for Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport. “Beyond other sectors, there is immense potential for cooperation in tourism. The Nepal government is ready to facilitate connectivity and create an environment conducive to Qatari investors,” he said.

Similarly, FNCCI President Dhakal highlighted opportunities across tourism, investment, aviation, hotels and infrastructure, and pointed to prospects for Qatari investors in hydropower, tourism, agriculture and services. “Effective foreign investment can be attracted through robust collaboration between the government and the private sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly said the Qatari private sector is interested in long‑term economic cooperation and that aviation and tourism partnerships would strengthen bilateral trade and people‑to‑people ties. Ambassador Al Ansari reiterated that Qatar is keen to expand cooperation in the economic and tourism sectors and said the embassy stands ready to facilitate Qatari investments.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talks covered policy facilitation for investment, bilateral investment promotion and Qatari investment prospects in Nepal. Foreign Secretary Rai described Nepal as an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investment, particularly in energy, tourism, infrastructure and information technology, and recalled the 2024 visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as a milestone that has reinforced economic ties.

The delegation also met Deo Chandra Lal Karna, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). They are scheduled to meet Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal and Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr Biswo Nath Poudel today.

The JBC, established between the FNCCI and QCCI, provides a structured platform to promote dialogue, commercial collaboration and direct engagement between the private sectors of both nations.