Nepal and Oman Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Cooperation

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, held a significant bilateral meeting today with her visiting Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. The discussions centered on enhancing the longstanding Nepal-Oman relations and exploring new avenues for cooperation in various sectors, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, both ministers exchanged views on key issues of mutual interest, including air connectivity, labor relations, investment opportunities, tourism, and diplomatic exchanges. The conversation reflected a shared commitment to deepening the bilateral relationship and expanding cooperation in diverse areas.

Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Ganesh Prasad Pandey, Nepal’s Ambassador to Oman, Dornath Aryal, and Omani officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present at the meeting.

Focus on Air Connectivity and Labor Relations

One of the main topics of discussion was the need to enhance air connectivity between Nepal and Oman. Minister Dr. Rana urged Oman to consider operating flights from Nepal’s international airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara. She highlighted the brief operation of flights at Bhairahawa and emphasized the government’s decision to offer more facilities to international airlines serving Nepal. In response, the Omani Foreign Minister expressed willingness to consider the matter, indicating a positive step toward resuming and expanding air services.

Labor issues were also a crucial part of the talks. The Nepali side emphasized the importance of securing the rights and welfare of Nepali workers in Oman and discussed the potential for Oman to become a more prominent labor destination for Nepali workers. The Omani side praised the honesty and conscientiousness of Nepali workers and expressed a commitment to hiring additional Nepali workers as needed. The two countries agreed to move forward with signing a labor agreement to formalize this cooperation.

Investment and Tourism Prospects

Minister Dr. Rana highlighted Nepal’s vast potential in tourism, driven by its natural beauty, towering Himalayan peaks, including Sagarmatha (Mount Everest), and numerous heritage sites recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. She called on Omani investors to explore opportunities in Nepal, particularly in the tourism sector, stressing that Nepal offers many promising areas for investment.

“Oman is keen to invest in Nepal’s priority tourism sectors,” said Minister Dr. Rana, noting that the Omani government has shown interest in contributing to the development of Nepal’s tourism industry.

Commitment to Further Collaboration

Following the bilateral meeting, Foreign Minister Dr. Rana briefed journalists, stating that discussions were productive and focused on deepening Nepal-Oman relations. She revealed that both countries are preparing to reach agreements soon on labor, health, tourism, and foreign affairs, signaling a new phase of collaboration.

The meeting also involved a comprehensive review of overall Nepal-Oman relations, covering labor and employment, tourism, trade, air connectivity, and investment. The mutual interest and commitment demonstrated during these talks are expected to pave the way for stronger ties and enhanced cooperation between Nepal and Oman in the years to come.