The decision was taken more than three decades after the two countries established diplomatic relations amid increasing flow of Nepali migrant workers to Saudi Arabia, according to Riyadh-based Arab News. [break]
“Saudi ambassador-designate Al-Harthy will be leaving for Nepal following his audience with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in a few weeks,” the Arab News quoted Alauddin Alaskari, deputy foreign minister for protocol affairs, as saying.
“The Saudi government´s decision to appoint its first ambassador to the South Asian nation will boost bilateral ties in all sectors including manpower,” the Arab News quoted Alaskari as saying.
The total number of Nepali workers in the Saudi Kingdom exceeds 600,000, including about 60,000 maids. Nepali migrant workers will be hugely benefitted after Saudi mission in Kathmandu will begin issuing visas to Nepali citizens from April this year.
Nepal and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in March 15, 1977. Though Nepal established its relations with Saudi Arabia in 1978, Saudi Arabia decided to establish residential embassy only recently.
“The opening of the Saudi Embassy in Katmandu a few weeks back and now the appointment of the first Saudi ambassador will further boost bilateral relations,” said Nepal´s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Udaya Raj Pandey.
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