Qatari businesspeople interested to invest in Nepal: FNCCI

KATHMANDU: Qatari investors have shown interest in Nepal’s IT, pharmaceutical industry, banking and financial services, hydropower, and tourism, the Federation of Nepali Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) said on Thursday.

Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, chairperson of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce, said Qatari businesspeople are looking for investment opportunities in Nepal. “We will encourage more investors,” Al-Thani said during the first meeting of the Nepal-Qatar Business Council held in Doha on Wednesday.

Federation of Nepali Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chairperson Chandra Prasad Dhakal led the Nepali delegation at the meeting.

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 chairperson-level meeting of the Council, FNCCI President Dhakal and Qatar Chamber Chairman Al-Thani agreed to appoint members to the Council soon.

Dhakal also proposed organizing the Nepal-Qatar Business Summit in Nepal. The two business leaders agreed to hold the summit next year, according to a statement issued by the FNCCI.

During the meeting, Dhakal stated that external sector and legal reforms have created investment opportunities in Nepal. He also invited Qatari investors to invest in hydropower, tourism, IT, and skill development in Nepal.