Statement by H.E. Prof. Ramesh Prasad Koirala, Ambassador of Nepal to the State of Qatar at the celebration of the National Day (Constitution Day) of Nepal
(Doha, State of Qatar, 19 September 2018)
His Excellency Dr. Issa Saad Al-Jafali Al Nuaimi, Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs of the State of Qatar,
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Hassan Al-Hamadi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar,
His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf Fakroo, Chief of Protocol of the State of Qatar
His Excellency Mr. Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends from the Media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Namaste, Good Evening and As-Salamu alyakum to you all.
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to welcome all the distinguished guests this evening to celebrate our national day today. First of all, I sincerely extend my gratitude for your valuable presence. On this auspicious occasion, I wish to convey my best wishes and warm greetings to the Nepali community in Qatar and all Qatari friends of Nepal.
Nepal began to celebrate today as the National Day of Nepal to commemorate the historic day when the Constitutional Assembly of Nepal promulgated the constitution of Nepal in 2015. Today is the successful completion of the third year of the new constitution’s implementation, which truly reflects the aspirations and expectations of Nepali people who had been yearning for the last seven decades.
The constitution guarantees equality, freedom, dignity and human rights of all Nepali citizens. It embraces the core values of multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, multi-cultural and geographically diverse characteristics of the country. It provides for participatory, inclusive and equal opportunities and rights to each Nepali citizen which has paved a strong foundation to enhancing greater economic growth, social progress and cultural development in Nepal.
The peace process in Nepal began in 2006 and it was brought to a logical conclusion by ending a decade long conflict with the promulgation of the new constitution. Nepal successfully concluded democratic elections at all three tiers of federal structure in 2017. This has guaranteed the inclusive participation and representation at all levels of governance, federal, provincial and local. The constitution has formed a strong foundation to political stability in Nepal. The government of Nepal now remains strongly focused to achieve sustained peace, progress, social justice, economic development and prosperity of Nepali people with a motto of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.”
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Nepal and the State of Qatar enjoy cordial and excellent state of bilateral relations ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 21 January 1977. As we have already completed four decades of our bilateral relations, the Government of Nepal highly values the relations with the State of Qatar. Both the countries have made tremendous efforts towards accelerating cooperation and partnership to further strengthen and diversify our relations. Our relations of mutual cooperation and friendship have been widened and deepened over the period of time in such fields as employment, trade, tourism, connectivity, health, education, and culture, among others.
Nepal and the State of Qatar are well connected by air links. There are eight flights in Kathmandu-Doha-Kathmandu sector every day that include one by Nepal Airlines, two by Himalayan Airlines and five by Qatar Airways. The flights of Nepal Airlines have been operating for the last 9 years, Himalayan Airlines 2 years and Qatar Airways 20 years.
There are more than four hundred thousand Nepali nationals, the second largest community in the State of Qatar, who have been working at various jobs in different capacities. They have played a great role in further widening and diversifying the relations between the two countries and significantly contributed to enhancing infrastructure and economic development as well as a greater level of people to people contacts. There has been also increase in cooperation and collaboration in private sectors and with business communities between the two countries.
The regular exchanges of the high-level official visits between Nepal and the State of Qatar have further strengthened and enhanced the bilateral relations between the two countries. I believe, our joint efforts will certainly lead us to the areas of common interests leading to prosperity of the two nations.
I take this opportunity to appreciate the Government of the State of Qatar for the planned and speedy infrastructure building, accelerated economic growth and social development leading towards the prosperity of nation under the dynamic leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar.
I also like to specially commend the Government of the State of Qatar for introduction and implementation of worker friendly policy reforms and initiatives together with establishment of required institutional mechanisms, including wage protection system, worker’s welfare schemes, dispute settlement mechanism, exit committee and new provisions relating to exit visa. These noble initiatives have highly contributed to effectively addressing the migrant worker’s problems and grievances in easy, simple and speedy manner.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Nepal is the perfect tourist destination due to her unique feature and geographic positioning. Nepal is unique with natural beauty and cultural richness coupled with attractive landscapes and diversified altitudes. Being a most-sought global tourism destination, Nepal provides a unique and rewarding holiday experience to all travelers from across the world, especially on account of the extensive range of travel, adventure, culture and spiritual options. The major global tourist attractions, the highest peak of the world, Mt. Everest and Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha, both lie in Nepal.
The priority areas of Nepal’s economic development include agriculture, tourism, hydropower, infrastructure, connectivity, communication, health and education. Nepal has huge potentials for investment in various sectors such as hydropower, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure building. The government of Nepal has now made every possible effort to create conducive environment, including initiating necessary policy and institutional reforms, for attracting enhanced level of investment in Nepal.
In this occasion, I request Excellencies, our friendly nations, private sectors and other interested investors to invest in the key priority areas in Nepal for mutual benefits. I am confident that we will expedite the further potential areas of cooperation between the two countries in the days ahead. I believe that Nepal will realise the developmental goals and objectives working in close cooperation, partnership and collaboration with all of our friendly countries.
Finally, I wish that today’s occasion will contribute to enhance further the everlasting ties and friendship between Nepal and State of Qatar and strengthen our commitment to peace, progress, happiness and prosperity of the peoples of the both countries.
Once again, I thank you all for your gracious presence to today’s celebration.
I am particularly grateful to His Excellency the Chief Guest for his time despite his busy schedule.
I thank you all.
