Prez Bhandari embarks on official visit to Qatar; accords responsibility to Veep Pun

KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari today accorded her official responsibilities to Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun before embarking on a four-day official visit to the State of Qatar at the invitation of the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

The functions to be performed by the President shall be performed by the Vice-President during the absence of the President as per the Article 67 (2) of the constitution.

Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun saw the President off at the VVIP lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). On the occasion, National Assembly's Chair Ganesh Timilsina, Speaker of the House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara, members of the Council of Ministers, Chief Secretary Lok Darshan Regmi, government secretaries, and chiefs of securities bodies were also present at TIA to see off the President.

The President's entourage comprises Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shanker Das Bairagi, Secretary at the Office of President Binod KC, Nepal Investment Board's chief executive officer Maha Prasad Adhikari and President's chief private secretary Bhesh Raj Adhikari, among others.

The President is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Amir of the State of Qatar at Amiri Diwan tomorrow. Following the official talks, the Amir of the State of Qatar will host a banquet in honour of President Bhandari.

Likewise, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Co-Founder and the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and other distinguished personalities of Qatar would pay courtesy calls on the President.

President Bhandari will also address a joint interactive meeting of the business community on the theme of Business and Investment Opportunities in Nepal tomorrow itself.

The President will also pay a visit to the Embassy of Nepal in Doha and meet the Nepali community.

The President will return home on November 1.