Kathmandu: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani held a meeting in Qatar to discuss strengthening bilateral economic and business relations.
During the talks, both sides agreed to hold the next Nepal-Qatar Joint Business Council (JBC) meeting in Kathmandu. Dhakal said the JBC has become an important mechanism to promote trade and investment between the two countries and stressed the need to finalise its membership list to make it more effective.
Inviting Qatari investors to explore opportunities in Nepal, Dhakal highlighted sectors such as hydropower, solar energy, information technology, fintech and agriculture-based industries. He also emphasised FNCCI’s ongoing digital transformation and called for collaboration with the Qatar Chamber on advanced technologies, including AI-based business tools, blockchain trade documentation and digital investment platforms.
Al Thani assured that efforts would be made to make the JBC more effective and reiterated Qatar’s commitment to deepening business ties with Nepal.
Dhakal also invited Qatari business leaders to participate in the Nepal International Economic Summit scheduled for February in Kathmandu, where a special “Qatar-focused investment session” will be featured. He further proposed collaboration in certification, standardisation and joint branding to boost Nepali exports such as tea, coffee, cardamom, herbs and processed foods in the Qatari market.
High-ranking officials and businesspeople from the Qatar Chamber attended the meeting.