BILATERAL RELATIONS
NEPAL – OMAN BILATERAL RELATIONS
Mutual Relations
Nepal and the Sultanate of Oman established their diplomatic relations on 21 January 1977. The relations between the two countries have always remained cordial and friendly. Mutual trust, respect, understanding and cooperation form the strong basis of bilateral relations between two countries. Prior to the opening up of residential embassy in Muscat, the Embassy of Nepal in Riyadh was concurrently accredited to the Sultanate.
The Government of Nepal opened its embassy in Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman on September 1, 2013. New chancery of the Embassy of Nepal in Muscat was formally inaugurated by H.H. Mohammad Salim Ali Al-Said, Chief of Protocol Department on November 20, 2013 at Diplomatic area of Shatti Al-Qurum and started full-fledged functioning along with Consular services. The then Foreign Secretary of Nepal Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa later inaugurated the Embassy at its premises on December 25, 2013. At the establishment, the Embassy was headed by Chargéd’Affaires. The embassy has been upgraded to the ambassador level with the appointment of H.E. SarmilaParajuli Dhakal, as the first Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman. The establishment of the new embassy has unlocked new potentials of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of tourism, trade and investment, and Human Resources utilization in favour of both countries.
Nepal and the Sultanate of Oman share similar views on several global agenda and issues. Both countries are the members of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), G-77, and some other international forums. They have been working together and also playing an active role in these forums for the promotion of international peace and security, collective progress, prosperity and wellbeing of global citizens.
Exchange of Visits
Regular exchange of visits and interactions at different levels between the leaders from both countries have contributed to foster goodwill and understanding between the two countries. This also provides great opportunities for both countries to broaden and deepen their bonds of friendship and ties that have been subsisting so happily for several years.
Details of Visits from Omani Side:
Details of Visits from Nepali Side:
Economic Relations
Since both countries are endowed with abundant natural resources, there exists tremendous scope for promoting further cooperation between the two countries in the fields of investment, trade, tourism and human resource utilization. Nepal could be a destination country for tourism, trade and investment opportunity for Omani nationals. Both Nepal and Oman should further strengthen their economic ties in the domain of having their competitive strength.
Virtually there is no investment in Nepal from Omani nationals. However, Nepal could become a destination choice for investment opportunity in Nepal. Nepal has adopted liberal economic policies sinceearly 1990s.In line with that policy and in order to incorporate positive effects of globalization, the Government of Nepal is in the process of making adjustment to various rules and regulations relating to business and investment climate in order to ensure an investment-friendly environment in the country and accelerate the momentum of economic transformation. Necessary changes are, therefore, being made in the foreign direct investment policies, procedures, laws and regulations. There are no legal and practical barriers to hinder investment proceeds. Separate Investment Board is formed to this effect and materialize one window policy to allure investors globally.
The trade between Nepal and Oman is negligible and is highly in favor of the Sultanate of Oman. Nepal imports mainly Organic Compound, Plate Sheet, Film, Foil, Strip of Plastic, Motor Car and Parts of Accessories of Motor Vehicle. Nepal exports mainly carpets, knotted of wool or fine animal hair. According to Department of Customs, Nepal exported items of USD 8,275 and imported items of 16.7 Million USD (2018/19). There is high need of enhancing trade relations in the interest of both Countries and in line with Nepal Government to reduce trade export import ratio to 1:10.5 by next five years. If explored and pursued, Nepalese tea, Yarchagumba (Cordyceps sinensis), Shila jeet (Mountain Tar),Panch Aunle (Dactylorhizahatagirea), vegetables, honey, handicrafts, carpet, Pasmina, seem to be viable and profitable exportable items to Oman. In order to explore the possibility of trade between the two countries and establish trade linkages, frequent regular meetings and discussion between the two Chambers of Commerce and Industries as well as between businessmen of the two countries may prove useful.
It would be in the interest of both countries to explore and expand the areas of co-operation in trade, investment, services, and infrastructure development with each other.
Tourism
Tourism sector is a very potential sector considering the enchanting beauty of both countries. So far, there is very few numbers of Omani tourists visiting Nepal. Nepal could provide best alternative ambience for Omani tourists to spend their holidays away from the bustle of modernity. There is indeed a great potential for attracting Omanis through dissemination and publicity of natural beauty, culture and hospitable nature of Nepalese people. Nepal can be destination of choice for Omanis. The embassy needs to be enriched with enough resources to effectively play its role in this regard. The Ministry may advise the concerned government authorities, including Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), to produce tourism promotion materials in Arabic Language, which might help promoting Nepal in whole Arabic Region.
Labour Diplomacy
Labour Diplomacy is one of the aspects of economic diplomacy of Nepal. Due to insufficient absorption capacity of Nepalese economy large number of youths are migrating out of country for employment opportunities. The sultanate of Oman is among the preferred destinations for employment opportunities for Nepali workers. The flow of Nepali people to Oman is increasing every year numbering to 19500(www.ncsi.gov.om) till the end of July 2022.
Dedication to work, loyalty, sincerity and integrity are some attributes of Nepalese workers that have enabled them to earn the trust and goodwill of the people and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. The prospect of employment in Oman is ever growing following the massive construction of infrastructures and real estates and their modernization in Oman.
Special Relations to be noted with high priority:
After the massive earthquake of 25 April 2015, Oman appointed H.E. Mr. Farhad as a special envoy to Nepal to coordinate rescue and relief activities for a month. The Government of Sultanate of Oman sent 40 trained personnel for after-quake rescue operation in Nepal immediately after 25 April 2015 when the disastrous quake hit Nepal. The Sultanate also offered a substantive scale of relief materials to the quake-hit people. Oman Charitable Organization sent medicines and other materials to Nepal for the needy people. The embassy, with the help of Nepalese community in Oman collected nearly 1,35,00,000 NRS as relief for the earthquake victims and sent to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
MOUs between Nepal and Oman
MOUs/Agreement under Pipeline
Embassy of Nepal,
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
July, 2022