KATHMANDU : Nepal and Oman called for faster completion of a proposed labour agreement and discussed establishing an Omani embassy in Kathmandu during bilateral consultations on Thursday, Nepal’s foreign ministry said.

The second meeting of the Nepal–Oman consultation mechanism reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and labour migration, including measures to protect the welfare, rights and interests of Nepali workers in Oman.

Both sides stressed the need to expedite a proposed memorandum of understanding on labour and manpower exchange, the ministry said in a statement. It did not give a timeline for concluding the agreement.

Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai led the Nepali delegation, while Sheikh Khalifa Al Harthy, undersecretary for political affairs at Oman’s foreign ministry, headed the Omani delegation.

The talks explored investment opportunities in hydropower, agriculture and other priority sectors, alongside tourism promotion, improved air connectivity and cooperation in healthcare.

The delegations also discussed a proposed Nepal–Oman friendship association and preparations to jointly mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.

Nepal briefed the Omani delegation on recent flash floods in the Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi region and expressed hope for continued support from international partners for recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Other discussions covered scholarships, cultural programmes, diplomatic and academic exchanges, and cooperation at the United Nations. The two sides also exchanged views on developments in West Asia.

Nepal and Oman established diplomatic relations on Jan. 21, 1977. Their bilateral consultation mechanism was established under a memorandum signed in 2017, with its first meeting held in Muscat in August 2024.

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