Qatari Emir's visit and expectations

After establishing diplomatic relations with Qatar, there has been a high-level visit from Nepal, but not yet from Qatar. Not only from Qatar, but also from countries in the Middle East, there was no high-level visit to Nepal. Meanwhile, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is scheduled to visit on May 11-12 ahead of the government's investment conference. It can be expected that the visit of the Emir of Qatar can increase the high-level visits to the Middle East in Nepal.

In the last three decades, by using natural resources, Qatar, which is small in terms of area, has succeeded in establishing itself as a developed power nation. Qatar has reached this state due to the visionary thinking and performance of the Amir family. Under the leadership of Al Thani, who has been the Emir of Qatar since 2013, the successful hosting of the World Cup in 2022 became possible. Qatar faced a blockade from neighboring countries while building infrastructure to prepare for the World Cup. At that time, after the promulgation of the constitution in Nepal, there was a blockade from neighboring countries. Qatar, which exports natural gas, used to import dairy products from neighboring countries until 2017. After the blockade of 2017, the policy of becoming self-sufficient in the necessary food was taken. As a successful example, the Qatari dairy company Baldana can be taken. Which not only made Qatar self-sufficient in dairy products, but also started exporting from Qatar. The market valuation of Qatar's dairy products company is only 80 billion Nepalese rupees. Based on living and doing business in Qatar for 20 years, I myself have experienced that it is very easy to do business in Qatar.

Qatar is a major labor destination for Nepalis. More than 1 billion remittances are received annually from Qatar. In Qatar, there are 350,000 Nepalis in employment and profession. Nepalis have played a great role in the development of Qatar, which is also known to the Qatari government. During the visit of Amir Al Thani of Qatar, the Nepali government should take initiatives to establish a venture capital company with Qatari investment for the Nepalis who have returned from employment in Qatar to use the skills and knowledge they have learned in entrepreneurship. If the company is established with an investment of at least 10 billion rupees, the Nepalese who have learned skills and knowledge in Qatar would be able to increase entrepreneurship in their own country.

By hosting the World Cup, Qatar has recognized itself as a country that can attract tourists. Another requirement is that Qatar should initiate training centers and technical colleges in Nepal with its own investment for the skilled workers it needs. The mainstay of Qatar's economy is oil and gas. Another success for Qatar is the airline business. Qatar Airways is known as the most successful airline in the world. Qatar Airways has been flying between Doha and Kathmandu. Nepal should make a special request to Qatar Airlines for regular flights to at least one airport, if not Pokhara and Bhairahawa. Qatar is preparing to take a policy to focus on budget air as well. As part of another strategic plan, there is also a possibility that Qatar Airways can be brought to Nepal Airlines Corporation as a strategic partner.

The Qatar Tourism Board is currently building a five-star hotel with its investment in the world. Nepal can also be a destination for this. An agreement with the Investment Authority can be taken forward. After that, it will be easy for Qatari companies to invest in Nepal. Qataris are known as high spending tourists around the world. The government needs to take a special policy to allow Qatari citizens to visit adventure tourism destinations in Nepal. From here, the Everest climbing team should be requested for a tourism ambassador in honor and promoted in the Qatari market. Similarly, for the convenience of Nepali workers in Qatari institutions, a policy should be taken to take Nepali health workers especially to hospitals. The Qatar Investment Authority, established with the investment of the Qatari government, has been increasing investment in Europe and America. The company manages 475 billion US dollars in assets. A Qatari company now owns a 20 percent stake in London's Heathrow Airport. Although the airport is ready in Nepal, Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports are not yet operational.

With the aim of increasing investment in Nepal, a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) has been signed between Qatar and Nepal. With the aim of increasing investment in Nepal, the contact office of Doha Bank, which is considered to be the largest in Qatar, has been opened in Nepal since 2018. During the visit of the Emir of Qatar, Nepal should make short-term and long-term plans and move forward with investment proposals. The short-term plan includes the establishment of venture capital to turn those returning from foreign employment into entrepreneurs, and the establishment of a training center for the production of manpower as sought by Qatar. For long-term investment, Qatari investors can be attracted to Nepal's hydropower, infrastructure and tourism sectors. Moreover, Qatar's success in the dairy industry in recent years can be used in Nepal. In the long term, Qatari companies are willing to invest in hydrogen energy. Qatar should be requested to invest in a hydropower project as a pilot project.

In addition to emphasizing vocational education in school education, the government should encourage foreign employment only after taking skilled education up to plus two. Only by combining education, training and skills can we create jobs. For this, not only the federal government, but also the state governments should take initiative. Qatar is a reliable friend of Nepal.

As the global economic crisis deepens, it is natural for Nepal to expect investment promotion from Qatar. At the same time, Nepal and Qatar can work together against issues such as climate change. Recently, an international conference of least developed countries was held in Qatar. Nepal, as the current chairman of the underdeveloped countries, should also talk with Qatar to enhance the productive capacity of the underdeveloped countries. Currently, Qatar is a good market for health factories. We have the possibility to sell to Qatar not only cardamom, pulses, millet, beans, fruits and honey but also agricultural materials and water produced in the hilly and Himalayan regions of Nepal. There is not much bilateral trade between Nepal and Qatar. When it comes to trade between Qatar and Nepal, this volume is less than 1 percent of Nepal's total foreign trade. In the last financial year, Nepal has exported goods and services worth 1 trillion 57 billion rupees while importing 16 billion rupees. Nepal has imported 13 billion 30 billion rupees from Qatar and exported 11 million rupees. Nepal's exports to Qatar can increase if the plan to give customs concessions to Qatar is carried forward to increase Nepal's exports. Mainly the market of organic agricultural products of Nepal can be queued.