QNA
Kathmandu
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Nepal will give the two countries opportunities for further multi-faceted cooperation and boost their bonds of friendship, President of Nepal Ram Chandra Poudel has said. He stressed that the two countries have a long standing relationship, enriched by friendliness and cooperation and pointed out that it is steadily growing and with the passage of time.
Adding that the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is making his first official visit to Nepal, he hailed him as a “visionary leader” as made clear by the great progress made by Qatar and its efforts in establishing peace in the Middle East under His Highness’ leadership. “This visit shall provide us (with the opportunity) to make strides in our socio-economic engagements and also an occasion to strengthen bonds of friendship,” he said.
He hailed the cordial Qatar-Nepal relations based on “friendliness, mutual trust, support and cooperation” since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in 1977.
He added that “the Government of Nepal always attaches high importance to its relations with the State of Qatar.”
Highlighting Qatar’s unwavering support for his country, he expressed appreciation for Doha’s assistance when “Nepal was devastated by earthquake in 2015 followed by COVID-19 pandemic”, calling the gestures the manifestations of deep and warm relations between the two countries. “I’d like to thank His Highness and the government of the State of Qatar once again for this assistance”, he said.
Commenting on the future of bilateral relations and important areas of cooperation, he highlighted the great successes in the areas of labour employment, air connectivity, tourism, legal, economic and technical cooperation, as well as the exchange of high-level visits and the strengthening of relations between the peoples of the two countries. “We will give continuity to these domains of cooperation, yet with greater zeal,” he said.
Bilateral cooperation will also cover issues, like environmental challenges, he said. “The issue of climate change and protecting mother Earth collectively has been a major concern for both our countries. Global warming has adversely been affecting the Mount Everest and adjoining Himalayas, a major source of fresh water in the region... All this (cooperation) will help elevate our bilateral relations to the next level”.
Regarding his evaluation of bilateral agreements to protect workers’ rights, improve their conditions, and the contribution of Nepalese workers to supporting the Nepalese economy, he hailed Qatar’s extensive reforms to strengthen labour laws and increase protection for workers, spotlighting the reforms’ positive impact on the protection of workers and promoting their interests, as well as regulating the supply of Nepali manpower to Qatar.
“Nepali migrant workers have largely benefitted from the reforms and the ensuing effect on the Nepalese economy has been positive by dint of the remittance,” he said. He also referred to an agreement signed by Qatar and Nepal in 2005 concerning Nepali workers’ employment in Qatar and its additional protocol signed in 2008.
