Finance Minister and UAE Ambassador urged to support in operation of Pokhara Int’l Airport

Gandaki, July 24: A delegation from the Hotel Association Pokhara, Nepal held separate meetings with the Finance Minister and the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nepal on Thursday, seeking their support for the regular operation of Pokhara International Airport.

The delegation urged Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel to initiate direct flights from various Indian cities to Pokhara International Airport ahead of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India. On the occasion, Finance Minister Paudel pledged his support for the operation of international flights from both Pokhara and Bhairahawa International Airports, according to Bharat Raj Parajuli, Coordinator of the Advisory Council of the Hotel Association Pokhara.

The Finance Minister also shared that the foundation stone for the Nayapul–Hemja tunnel route would be laid soon, noting that the detailed project report has already been prepared and a budget allocated in the current fiscal year for the project. The delegation also requested the minister to expedite the construction of the Narayangadh–Butwal and Pokhara–Muglin roads.

Similarly, during a meeting with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nepal, Abdulla Saeed Mubarak Jarwan Alshamsi, the delegation urged him to take the initiative to facilitate direct flights between Pokhara and the UAE. On the occasion, the Ambassador assured them that he would speak with Fly Dubai regarding the matter, said Laxman Subedi, President of the Hotel Association Pokhara.

He further added that the Ambassador was positive about promoting tourism in Pokhara and bringing investment from the UAE into the region’s tourism sector.