Foreign Minister Rana calls on Oman to operate Nepal’s international airports in Pokhara, Bhairahawa

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and her visiting Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi held a bilateral meeting on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on matters relating to Nepal-Oman bilateral interests, common concerns and the strengthening of bilateral relations, according to the Ministry.

They touched on issues relating to air connectivity, labor issues, investment, tourism, diplomatic exchanges, all sorts of bilateral cooperation and collaboration and so on. 

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

Minister Rana called on Oman to operate Nepal's international airports based in Bhairahawa and Pokhara, reminding of the closure of the flights at Bhairahawa following a brief operation. She said the government has decided to ensure more facilities for international airlines providing services in Nepal. In response, her counterpart said the Government of Oman will consider the matter.

Likewise, Nepal raised the topics of the rights and welfare of Nepali workers and additional labor destinations. The Nepali side raised this topic, stating that Oman could become a promising labor destination for Nepali workers as Oman has better labor laws and other environments.  

The Omani side stated that the Nepali workers were honest and conscientious and so Oman will hire additional Nepali workers based on requirement.

An agreement has been reached according to which the two countries will move ahead signing a labor agreement on this topic.

Foreign Minister Rana mentioned about the immense possibilities of tourism in Nepal due to its natural beauty, the Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters high including the Sagarmatha and the various heritage sites enlisted in the list of World Heritage Sites.

She urged the Omani investors to invest in Nepal in various sectors including in tourism. "There are many areas for possible investment in Nepal. Therefore, I urge, through the Foreign Minister, the Government of Oman and the investors there to invest in Nepal," she added.

Talking briefly to journalists after the bilateral meeting with the Omani Foreign Minister, Foreign Minister Rana said talks were held on further deepening the relations between Nepal and Oman. She informed that preparations have been made on the two countries reaching agreement soon on labor, health, tourism and foreign affairs.

Minister Dr Rana also said that Oman was willing to invest in the priority sectors in tourism in Nepal.

According to her, they reviewed overall aspects of Nepal-Oman relations including matters relating to labor and employment, tourism, trade, air connectivity, investment, among others.