Nepal is looking to strengthen its cooperation with Oman across various sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, energy, tourism, and more. During a recent visit, the Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Sewa Lamsal, expressed the country’s commitment to enhancing its partnership with Oman in mutually agreed areas. She highlighted the importance of working together to realize economic opportunities and promote people-to-people engagement in Oman.
Lamsal praised Muscat as a beautiful, well-planned, and peaceful city during her visit, noting the visionary leadership that has shaped its development. She expressed interest in learning more about Oman Vision 2040 and emphasized the need for timely implementation of Nepal’s own vision for the future. The strong bilateral relationship between Nepal and Oman, based on friendship and goodwill, was also highlighted, with Lamsal commending the positive experience of Nepali workers in Oman.
The visit marked the first-ever political and bilateral consultation meeting between Nepal and Oman, setting the stage for further high-level engagements in the future. Lamsal also called for the resumption of direct flights between the two countries, which had been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also proposed the establishment of an Omani Embassy in Kathmandu as a key step to strengthen bilateral ties.
Encouraging people from Oman to explore Nepal, Lamsal highlighted the unique landscape and attractions that make the country stand out. During her visit, she took the opportunity to experience Omani cuisine, including the popular Omani biryani. Lamsal also expressed gratitude to the Government of Oman for providing employment opportunities to over 21,000 Nepalis and stressed the importance of further collaboration in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Ambassador Dornath Aryal of Nepal underlined the establishment of the Nepal-Oman Bilateral Consultations Mechanism in 2017, with plans for the next meeting to take place in Kathmandu. He emphasized the need to explore untapped potential in economic, cultural, and educational sectors, while also encouraging Omani businesses to consider investment opportunities in Nepal, particularly in areas like hydropower, tourism, and green hydrogen. The proposal for meaningful collaboration in the private sector was also put forth as a way to further strengthen ties between Nepal and Oman.
