KATHMANDU: Former President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal has urged the investors of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in various potential sectors of Nepal.

President Dhakal, who is in UAE to attend the ‘RAK Investment Summit 2026’ held in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, on Thursday. He made this request while meeting with the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.

During the meeting, matters relating to Nepal-UAE bilateral relations, expansion of trade and investment opportunities in Nepal were discussed.

During the meeting, Dhakal said that Nepal has high potentials in hydropower, tourism, agriculture, information technology and data center sectors and urged to bring investment in these sectors. He said that Nepal could become a very attractive destination for the establishment of information technology and data center due to the sufficient clean energy (hydropower) available in Nepal and the cold climate here. He also said that there is a big opportunity to invest in high-level tourism infrastructure like cable car and ski resort.

Both sides expressed happiness over the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the UAE. Dhakal welcomed the idea of Minister Al Zeudi organizing a special event on the occasion of the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations to be celebrated in 2027. Dhakal also stressed on the need to continue high-level visits between the government and private sector to take the relations between the two countries to a new height on the occasion of the golden jubilee.

Dhakal pointed out the need to further strengthen the legal bases like the Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to make investors believe with policy and regulatory clarity.

Dhakal praised Flydubai for starting direct flights from UAE to Pokhara International Airport and requested the government to take initiative to operate direct flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. He was of the view that the start of direct flights to Bhairahawa would be an important gateway to connect UAE with Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

He also expressed his confidence that the upcoming golden jubilee year, 2027, will mark a new chapter in shared prosperity and strong economic partnership between Nepal and the UAE.