Qatari investors seek opportunities in Nepal

KATHMANDU:The first meeting of the Nepal-Qatar Business Council was held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Wednesday.

On the occasion, Chairperson of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce, Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, said investors in Qatar are looking for investment opportunities in Nepal. 

Qatari investors are looking for investment opportunities with significant interest in Nepal's IT sector, pharmaceutical industry, banking and financial services, hydropower and tourism. 

During the meeting, Chair Thani and a delegation of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry led by its President Chandra Prasad Dhakal held discussions on expanding economic relations between the two countries. 

It may be noted that during the state visit of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Nepal on April 23 and 24, an agreement was signed to establish a Business Council between the FNCCI and the Qatar Chamber. 

In the first-ever meeting at the chairman level of the Council, FNCCI President Dhakal and Qatar Chamber Chair Thani agreed to appoint members under their respective leadership to complete the Council soon. Dhakal also proposed organising a Qatar-Nepal Business Summit in Nepal, which was agreed to be held next year. 

During the meeting, FNCCI President Dhakal stated that Nepal has external sector stability and that the reforms made in the laws have created investment opportunities. He also invited Qatari investors to invest in hydropower, tourism, information technology, and skill development in Nepal, where there are ample opportunities. 

Similarly, Dhakal also participated as a representative of the private sector of Nepal in the Asian Cooperation Dialogue organised by the Qatari government.