NEPAL GOVT TO CONFER HIGHEST MEDAL TO SAUDI ARABIAN PRINCE TALAL

Kosh R. Koirala Reporting from Nepal

Kathmandu, 16 November, (Asiantribune.com):

Nepal government has decided to confer highest medal on Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal in order to further strengthen the cordial relationship subsisting between Nepal and Saudi Arabia.

Though the decision to confer Mahaujjwal Rastradeep medal on Prince Talal was made through a cabinet meeting on Monday morning, the medal decoration ceremony will take place only later as the government lacked necessary preparation on time.

Prince Talal, who was on a three-day private visit to Nepal, returned home on Tuesday after holding meeting with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and other cabinet ministers.

Government officials said Prince Talal will visit sometime later to receive the medal from President Dr Yadav.

There are three orders of government awards, namely Nepal Ratna, Rastra Gaurab and Rastradeep. Mahaujjwal Rastradeep medal is the highest honor any foreign national can receive from Nepal government.

The medal is meant for honoring both Nepali and foreign national for their contribution to promoting Nepal´s image, dignity and interests in international arena.

During the meeting with ministers on Monday, Prince Talal, who was described as the 19th richest person in the world by Forbes Magazine, has shown his interests to invest in tourism and civil aviation sectors in Nepal. “Hopefully, we will be able to have investment in the pipeline,” said Prince Talal after the joint meeting with several cabinet ministers on Monday.

Among other things, the Saudi royal said that he would study the possibility of connecting Saudi Arabia with Nepal by his own airline – Nas Air – a young fleet offering affordable fare.

Source: http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/11/16/nepal-govt-confer-highest-medal-saudi-arabian-prince-talal