Doha, 10 Jan. 2023 (QT)

By ASHRAF SIDDIQUI

Chargé D’affaires at the Nepal Embassy Lakshuman Khanal has praised Nepal Business Association Qatar (NBAQ) for arranging and sending a shipment of urgent medical supplies to Nepal during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at an event recently, Khanal thanked all the donors, including business houses and individuals, for their noble support to the needy people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Present on the occasion were Mahendra Prasad, President of NBAQ; Muhammad Muqtada Musalman, President of Nepalese Community NRN Qatar; Safitar Imam, President of Nepal Engineer Association; Prabin Bhattarai, outgoing Second Secretary at Nepal Embassy; Badri Prasad Pandey and Samir Maskey, patrons NBAQ; Surendra Nath Raghavar, finance director, Safari Group; members of the NBAQ Executive Committee; community leaders and members of the
Nepalese Business Community.

Khanal and Prasad presented the individual and company donors memento in appreciation on their support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chargé D’affaires lauded the role of Nepali workers and the business community in the development of the host country. He urged the Nepalese Business Association, as registered with Qatar Financial Centre, to play its role in promoting entrepreneurship among Nepali community in Qatar and serve as a bridge between the Qatari business community and Nepal.

He said that Nepal Embassy in Qatar is always prepared to support and provide assistance to NBAQ to play a vital role in strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between both the countries.

Khanal said NBAQ can also assist in promoting tourism, national identity and culture, as well as contribute to the welfare of the Nepali community in Qatar when needed. He also encouraged the association to facilitate the participation of Nepali stakeholders in various events and exhibitions organised in Qatar.

Bhoj Bahadur Nepal, NBAQ Vice-President, gave a brief about the objectives and goals of the business association. On behalf of the Nepalese community, he congratulated the leadership, citizens and the expatriate communities in Qatar on the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 202, describing the tournament as a great example and guideline for all to achieve their goals in life.

As a special guest on the occasion, Ashraf Siddiqui, a renowned Pakistani social worker and author, thanked NBAQ for inviting him on the first annual General Assembly of the association. He congratulated the association on its services towards the community and hoped that the forum will be helpful in building close business and investment relations between Qatar and Nepal.

Mahendra Prasad, NBAQ president, said the association aims to represent and support the interests of its members’ businesses and create a favourable business environment. Besides its basic functions, NBAQ came forward during the severe pandemic situation to support and help out the needy and sick people back home. With the help and support of Nepal embassy, community forums, business houses and friends, it was able to ship around Nepali Rs. 12 million worth of medical supplies to the Ministry of Health in Nepal.

NBAQ has signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) on December 2, 2022 with Foreign Employment Department and Secretariat of Foreign Employment Board under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social affairs of Nepal to cooperate in the relief, rescue, repatriation and reintegration of
migrant Nepali workers.