Good Evening, Your Excellency Rt. Hon Pramanand Jha, Vice President of Nepal, Hon Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Narayan Kaji Shrestha Prakash, Diplomats, Media Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen.

It is my great pleasure, honour and privilege to welcome His Excellency Rt Hon Pramanand Jha, Vice President of Nepal and Hon Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Foreign Affairs Mr Narayan Kaji Shrestha Prakash to my country's 40th National Day Celebrations today.

This is for the first time ever that we are celebrating our National Day in Nepal since we established our diplomatic relations with the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. And, today we are extremely honoured by the presence of H.E. Vice President and the Dy. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal with us this evening.

December the 2nd is the anniversary fo the foudning of the Untied Arab Emirates under the leadership of the late, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a historic turning poin for the people of this region, and the wisdom to lay the foundations of the seven emirates, under one banner.

Today, UAE is a prospering country and increasingly diversifying its economy with emphasis on manufacturing, services and renewable energy based sectors.

In 2009, "Masdar City", located in Abu Dhabi was selected for hosting the headquarters of the Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency "IRENA", and this is the first time that international select a city in the Middle East as a headquarters.

Ladies and Gentlemen

UAE - Nepal have historic and very friendly relations and it continues on a growth path which is beneficial to the people of both countries.

I would just like to share some key facts of our growing relations with Nepal :

The UAE - Nepal trade: In 2010 / 2011 the trade was USD : 63 million compared to USD 48 million in 2009/2010.

Total flights between UAE - Nepal : 38 flights per week Number of Nepalease nationals living in UAE 150,000.

Total remittance to Nepal from UAE was USD : 440 million till Nov. 2011.

Despite the global economic downturn, Nepal has been considered as a key market with huge growth potential and the government's promotion of Nepal as a Tourism Year provides a promising opportunity to the people of UAE to visit this beautiful Himalayan country.

UAE businesses are honored to be involed and contributing to Nepal's industrialization and modernization process.

Once again, I thank you for coming and please join me in toasting the United Arab Emirates and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, their leaders and their people.

Thank You