High-level delegation meetings in Kathmandu pave the way for boosted trade, tourism, and aviation collaboration amid Nepal’s drive for foreign capital.
Nepal & Qatar: Investments, Opportunities, Challenges:
In a flurry of diplomatic engagements, a Qatari business delegation has wrapped up talks with Nepali leaders, committing to deeper partnerships in key sectors like hydropower, tourism, and infrastructure. The visit, culminating in the inaugural Nepal-Qatar Joint Business Council meeting, comes as Nepal aggressively courts foreign investment to fuel its post-pandemic recovery. With over 400,000 Nepali migrant workers in Qatar driving billions in remittances, these discussions could transform bilateral relations, injecting vital funds into Nepal’s economy while opening doors for Qatari firms in one of Asia’s untapped markets. But challenges like trade imbalances and worker protections loom, testing the durability of this emerging alliance.
Nepal-Qatar: Tourism, Hydropower, and Billion-Dollar Deals:
The Qatari delegation arrived in Kathmandu on February 8, 2026, at the invitation of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). The three-day visit kicked off with a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 9. That same day, the group met Tourism Minister Anil Kumar Sinha at Singha Durbar, where talks centered on aviation investments and tourism infrastructure.
On February 10, the delegation engaged with Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal and Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma, discussing bilateral investment and trade expansion. The highlight was the first meeting of the Nepal-Qatar Joint Business Council, where participants explored direct business linkages. Additional sessions included talks with the Nepal Rastra Bank Governor, emphasizing financial sector cooperation.
Throughout, the focus remained on practical steps; increasing Qatar Airways flights to Nepal’s new international airports in Pokhara and Bhairahawa, and identifying Qatari investments in hydropower projects worth potentially billions. The delegation departed on February 11, leaving behind pledges for ongoing dialogue.
From Remittances to Investments: The Growing Nepal-Qatar Partnership:
Nepal and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1977, but ties deepened significantly with the Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s state visit to Nepal in April 2024-the first by a Qatari head of state. That trip led to agreements on labor, trade, and the formation of the Joint Business Council, setting the stage for this week’s events.
At the heart of the relationship are the estimated 400,000 Nepali migrant workers in Qatar, who form about 12.5% of the country’s population and send home remittances equaling roughly 30% of Nepal’s GDP-around $8.3 billion annually as of recent figures. Qatar ranks among the top destinations for Nepali laborers, alongside the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with 32% of migrants heading there between 2015-2019.
Trade remains imbalanced; Nepal exported $1.2 million to Qatar in 2024, mainly carpets and handicrafts, while importing $150 million in petroleum and machinery. Nepal’s economy, reliant on agriculture and tourism, has struggled post-2015 earthquake and COVID-19, prompting reforms to attract FDI. Qatar, with its sovereign wealth fund exceeding $450 billion, seeks diversification beyond oil.