Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal and Oman held their first Bilateral Consultation Mechanism meeting in Muscat, Oman, on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal led the Nepali delegation, while Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Alharthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, led the Omani delegation.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the foreign ministry said that the delegations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the excellent state of relations between Nepal and Oman since 1977. They agreed to promote cooperation in various sectors, including high-level visits, trade, investment, economic cooperation, agriculture, energy, tourism, labor and foreign employment, culture, education, and direct air connectivity.
Both countries committed to enhancing partnerships in mutually agreed areas and working together to realize economic opportunities for mutual benefits, as well as creating more opportunities for people-to-people engagement.
Foreign Secretary Lamsal thanked Oman for employing over 21,000 Nepalis and emphasized the need to explore untapped potential in economic, cultural, and educational areas. She proposed establishing meaningful collaborative partnerships and urged Oman to explore investment opportunities in Nepal, including hydropower, tourism, and green hydrogen sectors.
Undersecretary Alharthy expressed willingness to promote cooperation between Nepal and Oman in all mutually agreed sectors and hoped to conclude pending MOUs. He stressed the importance of working together to realize the actual benefits of bilateral relationships.
Following the meeting, the Omani delegation hosted a luncheon for the visiting Nepali delegation.
Earlier that day, Lamsal paid a courtesy call on Minister of Labor Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain, discussing mutual cooperation matters, including a potential MoU on labor exchange and employment opportunities.
The next Bilateral Consultations Mechanism meeting will be held in Kathmandu on mutually convenient dates.
