HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to establish four diplomatic missions in as many countries, targeting Nepali migrant workers and movement of business people.

Today’s Cabinet meeting took a decision to establish embassies in Bahrain and Oman, a consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and a consulate general in Guangzhou, China, according to Badri Neupane, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also proposed to set up an embassy in Spain but the Cabinet did not endorse it, saying it was not needed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the government decided to set up new missions considering the strength of Nepali community there and to address their plight.

Over 40,000 Nepalis are working in Bahrain, whereas Oman is host to more than 15,000 Nepali migrant workers. As many as two lakh migrant workers are in Jeddah, the western business hub of Saudi Arabia. Guangzhou, on the other hand, has gained popularity in recent years as an import-hub for Nepali business community.

MoFA under secretaries will head embassies in Bahrain and Oman, assisted by a non-gazetted first class officer. As both are destinations of Nepali migrant workers, a Labour Attaché is likely to be deployed to each mission.

A joint secretary of the Administrative Service will lead Guangzhou-based consulate general, while an under-secretary level officer from the Embassy of Nepal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be deputed as consul in Jeddah-based consulate. A non-gazetted-first class office will be deputed from Riyadh to assist the consul. A MoFA official told The Himalayan Times that details of cost to open these missions were yet to be finalised by the finance ministry.

An organisation and management survey conducted by MoFA last year had estimated a tentative annual cost of Rs 40 million to run a consulate general and Rs 50 million to run an embassy. The officer, however, said the running cost of these missions will be relatively low given the minimal staff.

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