(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Nepal and Qatar enjoy cordial and peaceful ties as they mark four decades of diplomatic relationship, first established on January 21, 1977. However, Nepal set up its embassy in Doha on July 11, 2000 and Qatar opened one in Kathmandu, Nepal in August 2011.
Since then, both the countries have been finding ways to enhance and broaden engagement in existing, as well as new areas, supporting the path for each other for mutual benefit. They signed a bilateral agreement (on labour laws) on March 21, 2005, and its additional protocol on January 20, 2008. It is estimated that there are about 450,000 Nepali workers in Qatar, contributing towards its growth and underpinning bilateral diplomatic ties. As the two countries celebrate the forty years of diplomatic relationship, Community sat down with some Nepali expatriates, who have been working and living in Doha for more than two decades.
Tej Katuwal
Qatar is like my second home. I arrived in Doha on August 13, 1997. Coming here was the best decision I ever made. Qatar has enabled me to provide better education to my children. Over the years, I have seen the country marching towards outstanding development. I remember joining the company as a junior team member, and, today, I am a landscape supervisor. Both the countries are endowed with natural resources and they can further collaborate with each other.
Narendra Bhat
It was in 2002 when I first came to Qatar. Following a lot of hardwork, I started my own contracting company in Doha. Better law and order has led to healthy competition in the corporate sector. I have seen Doha making progress by leaps and bounds in all these years. The population of Nepali expatriates in the country has grown manifold, becoming the second largest community. In Qatar, there are people from every nook and corner of Nepal. They have more than 120 community organisations. The organisations are striving hard to provide a fair platform to promote Nepali culture and conducting welfare programmes.
Resham Basnet
I would like to congratulate both the countries for their progressive relationship. I am thankful to Qatar for providing an opportunity to work here. I have always cherished my life here. I feel no regret in having left Nepal for Qatar. In 20 years, things have changed greatly, be it travelling, infrastructure, buildings, and technology. There are Nepali doctors, engineers and accountants, enjoying life in Doha.
Hamshraj D Chhetri
Qatar is a peaceful and safe country. Discipline and honesty are two things that I have cherished in my professional life here which dates back to 1996. I am now working for the third company. I started as a security guard and today, I am a sales executive. I have witnessed Qatar making investment in agricultural sector of Nepal. The opportunity of work in Qatar is ever increasing as infrastructure is rapidly being built for FIFA World Cup 2022 and Qatar National Vision 2030. So, there is an opportunity for both the countries to further collaborate and bring prosperity in different sectors.
Mohammed Shakir Ali
It has been 23 since I first landed at the Doha International Airport. The experience which I amassed cannot be expressed in words. Qatar has always been very special to me. At that time, there were quite a few Nepali people here. Today, I see them in almost every sector.
Qatar is like a mini Nepal for me in terms of the number of people from my country. Nepali people are assisting the country strenuously and contributing towards building the country's major projects. Some Nepali are running big enterprises as well and others are working as managers. The strong people to people contacts have strengthened bilateral diplomatic ties.
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