President Dr Ram Baran Yadav embarked on a four-day state visit to Qatar today. He arrived at Doha International Airport in the afternoon. The president left Kathmandu for Qatar this morning, leading a 15-member delegation at the invitation of Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani of the tiny Gulf kingdom.

This is the first ever visit to Qatar by a Head of State after Nepal became a Republic in 2008. Then King Gyanendra Shah had visited the country in 2005, but it was not a state visit, according to an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). 

“So, Dr Yadav is the first Head of State of Nepal to pay a state visit to the Gulf kingdom since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in January 1977,” said the official.

MoFA officials said the visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral economic interests. Both countries are expected to sign a wide range of deals on tourism, labour cooperation and investment.

A Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) is also likely to be inked, according to an official. Nepal also expects to reach a deal with the wealthy Gulf state on legal assistance for Nepali workers there. 

Nepal will also request the Qatari Emir to hike the minimum wage for Nepali workers there, for it is said Nepali workers are paid the lowest in comparison with other south Asian nationals, according to the official.

However, a MoFA statement on the visit, did not mention any such agenda. It only said a ceremonial welcome ceremony will be held at the Emiri Diwan (Qatari Royal Palace) followed by official talks and State luncheon hosted by the Emir in honour of President Yadav tomorrow afternoon.

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hridayesh Tripathi, who is accompanying the president as minister-in-waiting, will sign all possible deals with Qatari officials in the presence of President Yadav and the Emir. 

The president’s daughter, adviser, secretary at the Office of the President and the acting foreign secretary are accompanying him. 

According to journalist Dharmendra Jha, who is also a delegate, the president directed the Nepali ambassador to Qatar and other officials at the Nepali embassy in Riyadh to work with the motto of serving the Nepali community there, at a reception hosted by the embassy in his honour today evening.

During the course of the visit, the president is scheduled to visit a few places of interest including the Education City and Pearl Qatar. The president will also meet the Nepali Community in Qatar. He will return home on Thursday.

Published on: 11 October 2011 | The Himalayan Times