Nepal-Qatar Joint Business Council Holds First Meeting in Kathmandu to Boost Bilateral Trade and Investment

The first meeting of the Nepal-Qatar Joint Business Council (JBC), formed with the objective of institutionalizing the promotion of bilateral trade and investment between Nepal and Qatar, was held in Kathmandu. The meeting, concluded in Chandragiri, is expected to elevate economic cooperation between the two nations to a new height.

The agreement to establish the Joint Business Council was signed during the visit of His Highness the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Nepal in April 2024. The JBC has been established as a structured platform to promote dialogue, business cooperation, and direct engagement between the private sectors of Nepal and Qatar. 

During the meeting, representatives from the private sectors of both countries held in-depth discussions on investment promotion, trade expansion, private sector-to-private sector (B2B) cooperation, and government-to-government (G2G) coordination. Participants expressed their commitment to making the economic relationship between Nepal and Qatar long-term and result-oriented. 

In the meeting, the Nepali side highlighted the government's emphasis on legal amendments to improve the investment-friendly environment, simplifying approval processes through digital systems, and promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). They urged Qatari investment in various sectors in Nepal, including energy, minerals, health, education, tourism, agricultural processing, and information technology. Furthermore, the Nepali team stated their readiness to facilitate necessary arrangements for Qatari investment in Nepal and encouraged Nepali entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in Qatar's service sector, tourism-related industries, skill development, and small and medium enterprises, emphasizing the potential for joint ventures. 

The Qatari delegation expressed positive views on the investment climate in Nepal and conveyed their interest in expanding direct cooperation and business exchanges between the private sectors of both countries.  They emphasized that Nepal is truly beautiful and holds significant investment potential across many sectors, suggesting avenues for collaboration. 

Speaking at the meeting, Federation President Chandra Prasad Dhakal stated that the meeting would further strengthen Nepal-Qatar economic relations in the coming days and contribute to increasing trade and investment. Mentioning the Federation's commitment to facilitating foreign investment, strengthening institutional cooperation, and promoting business-to-business contacts, President Dhakal affirmed the Federation's dedication to easing the investment process through private sector-to-private sector cooperation, government-private sector dialogue, and institutional mechanisms. 

‘This meeting will significantly contribute to increasing trade and investment between Nepal and Qatar. He said, ‘The Federation is fully committed to facilitating foreign investment, strengthening institutional cooperation, and promoting business-to-business contacts.’ He also stated that the Federation would remain continuously active in making the investment process easier through private sector-to-private sector cooperation, government-private sector dialogue, and institutional mechanisms. 

President Dhakal invited the leadership of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the Federation's upcoming Annual General Meeting, describing it as an effective platform for direct dialogue with policymakers and business leaders, and requested their participation.  

Federation Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha emphasized the need to make the Nepal-Qatar Joint Business Council practical and result-oriented, rather than limiting it to formality. 

‘There is a common understanding that the JBC must be a platform that delivers concrete results. It can and must be made an effective medium for project identification, problem-solving, and developing commercially beneficial partnerships for both sides,’ he said.  

Mohd Ahmed M.A. Al Obaideli, Board Member of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Head of the Delegation, stated that Qatari investors are ready for long-term investment if Nepal ensures stable policies, a clear legal structure, and banking facilitation, adding that they would initiate efforts for Qatari investment in Nepal if concrete areas of cooperation are identified. 

He stressed the need to make the role of the JBC more effective for this purpose. ‘It is necessary to operate this Joint Business Council more effectively to make it result-oriented. Qatari investors are ready for long-term investment if stable policies, a clear legal structure, and banking facilitation are ensured in Nepal,’ he said. 

Federation Treasurer Bharat Raj Acharya stated that the Joint Business Council should be developed as an active bridge for long-term economic cooperation between Nepal and Qatar. He noted that recent high-level bilateral meetings have created a positive environment for increasing private sector participation. 

During their visit to Nepal, the Qatari delegation also held meetings with Finance Minister Rameswor Prasad Khanal, Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha, Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr. Bishwanath Poudel, and Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Devchandra Lal Karna. 

Discussions during the meetings covered Nepal-Qatar bilateral investment promotion, trade expansion, government-to-government and private sector-to-private sector cooperation, and air connectivity. The JBC meeting is expected to institutionalize economic cooperation between Nepal and Qatar and strengthen trade, investment, and direct private sector partnership in the coming days.