Morocco marks 25th anniversary of King's accession to the throne.

Kathmandu, Aug. 2

The Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Nepal on Sunday organised a ceremony and a series of events in Kathmandu to mark the 25th anniversary of King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne.

The programme began with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Consulate General's office in Thapathali. Morocco's ambassador to Nepal, Mohammed Maliki, and Honorary Consul General Megha Chaudhary jointly hoisted the national flag. Morocco observes 30 July each year as Throne Day to commemorate the accession of King Mohammed VI.

Speaking at the ceremony, said she hoped Nepal and Morocco would further expand cooperation in trade, tourism, investment and cultural exchange.

The Consulate General also organised a cultural exhibition in Lalitpur on Sunday which featured Moroccan cuisine, pottery, traditional décor, tourism information and a travel desk.

"The exhibition was intended to introduce Moroccan culture, art and tourism to the Nepali public while promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries. It was expected to support bilateral cooperation, trade and tourism," said Chaudhary.

A separate evening programme focusing on tourism and cultural cooperation between Nepal and Morocco, including the screening of a documentary on Moroccan art and culture was also organised the same day.

Chaudhary was appointed Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Nepal in February. Following her appointment, the Consulate General introduced a revised visa application process for Nepali citizens.

Under the new arrangement, Nepali applicants can obtain a recommendation letter from the Consulate General in Kathmandu and submit their visa applications through VFS Global, removing the need to travel to India to complete the process.

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 3 August 2026. 

Nepal-South Africa trade prospects discussed

 Kathmandu, June 25

Honorary Consul of South Africa to Nepal, Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, has discussed the ideas about exploring trade and investment between Nepal and South Africa on Wednesday.

Welcoming the newly appointed non-resident South African Ambassador to Nepal, Prof. Anil Sooklal, along with his spouse Dr. Nelistra Sooklal Singh at the office of Panchakanya Group, he stressed on enhanced bilateral cooperation in trade and investment sectors.

The Panchakanya Group informed in a statement that Ambassador Sooklal and Shrestha, who is the Managing Director of the Group, exchanged views on promoting high-level delegation visits and experience sharing initiatives between Nepal and South Africa.

Earlier on Tuesday, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, met with Ambassador Sooklal where he highlighted Nepal’s strong potential for South African investment, particularly in tourism infrastructure.

He urged Ambassador Sooklal to encourage South African businesses to explore opportunities in Nepal, especially in hydropower, agriculture processing, infrastructure, and information technology.

Although current trade between the two countries is limited, Dhakal noted significant scope for expansion, the FNCCI said in a statement the other day.

He emphasised Nepal’s unique geography, where visitors can travel from the lowlands to scenic hills within an hour, making it an ideal destination for resorts, wellness centres, eco-tourism, and adventure tourism.

FNCCI also pledged full support in facilitating trade delegations and information exchange. Ambassador Sooklal expressed commitment to deepening bilateral ties, especially in tourism, recognising Nepal’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 June 2025. 

Government brings eight Nepalis home from Sudan

Kathmandu, May 3

Eight Nepali nationals who were rescued from conflict-ridden Sudan and taken to Jeddah have arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The Government of Nepal has rescued 19 Nepali nationals stuck in the conflict-ridden African country. The MoFA informed on Wednesday that 31 Nepalis were in contact with the Embassy of Nepal in Cairo, Egypt and had reached Port Sudan. From there, 19 of them were rescued in a ship with the cooperation of Saudi Arabian government on April 30.

The rescued 19 Nepalis have been taken to Jeddah of Saudi Arabia, the MoFA said in a statement.  Of them, six will stay in the Dubai branch of the employer company, eight have arrived in Nepal on Wednesday via Air Arabia while five will arrive on Thursday via Jazeera Airways.

"Efforts are under way to rescue six of the remaining 11 who are in contact with the embassy in Cairo from the Port Sudan via Jeddah. Remaining three are in a hotel at the port with the support of the employer company and two are in safe place at the border with Egypt," the ministry informed in the statement.

The MoFA has urged all Nepalis not to make movement in conflict-hit areas and contact Embassy of Nepal in Cairo in case of emergency. They can contact Second Secretary Dipak Ghimire at +201097772348 or +201029606662, or email at eoncairo@mofa.gov.np.

 

FM Saud to leave for UK on Thursday

Meanwhile, Minister for Foreign Affairs N.P. Saud is leaving for the United Kingdom on Thursday to attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort.

During his stay in London, He will attend the Coronation Ceremony at Westminster Abbey and the Reception given at Buckingham Palace. He will have other official engagements as well, informed the MoFA.

The Foreign Minister will return to Kathmandu on May 9. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 May 2023. 

Nepal, South Africa to strengthen bilateral cooperation

Kathmandu, Mar. 11

Nepal and South Africa have signed a declaration of intent to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, informed the Embassy of Nepal in Pretoria, South Africa.

Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and Acting Director General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of the Republic of South Africa Nonceba Losi signed the declaration on behalf of their respective governments in Pretoria the other day.

Addressing the Signing Ceremony, Paudyal stated that the declaration will provide a fundamental basis for further strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Nepal and South Africa.

He recalled Nepal’s solidarity with the South African people in their struggle for freedom, dignity and equality.

Losi welcomed the Nepali delegation and stated that this day would mark the new beginning in the friendly relations between the two countries. "She appreciated Nepal for firmly standing by the side of South African people in their fight against apartheid," the embassy said in a statement.  

The signing ceremony was followed by the First Nepal-South Africa Bilateral Consultation meeting.

"The meeting discussed issues of bilateral relations, including trade, tourism, foreign direct investment, people-to-people contacts, and cultural cooperation as well as exchange of UN peacekeeping experience," read the statement.

The second meeting of the bilateral consultation mechanism will be held in Kathmandu in 2024.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Paudyal had a separate meeting today with Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Candith Mashego-Dlamini. Matters, including COVID-19 control, vaccine equity and economic recovery featured during the meeting.

The Nepali delegation led by the Foreign Secretary comprised Harishchandra Ghimire, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gyan Bahadur Magar, Charge´ d'Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Nepal in Pretoria and other officials of the Ministry and the Embassy. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 12 April 2022.