ABU DHABI // As Dhananjay Jha prepares to retire as Nepalese ambassador to the UAE, he can look back with a sense of pride on four years spent helping his compatriots live, work and do business.
The 62-year-old has overseen the opening of the Nepal Business Council, he helped with the establishment of the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu and his nation’s consulate in Dubai.
“Nepalese mostly live in the Northern Emirates and they have to travel to Abu Dhabi for consular services. The opening of a Dubai consulate provides a big respite to our people,” Mr Jha said.
The business council, which opened in Dubai four months ago, helped to promote trade and invited investments in Nepal from UAE companies.
“It was truly needed, as people wondered how to and where to invest in Nepal. But this council will assist people establish their business,” Mr Jha said.
He also helped to reform the way Nepalese maids are recruited through agencies, and ensured they were registered with the mission before taking on work.
“We have taken plenty of measures and things improved. Now no housemaid is allowed to come to the UAE without a prior approval from the mission through the registered agencies,” Mr Jha said.
However, problems persist ed with some women who travelled to the UAE on visit visas and took jobs without going through the proper legal channels. This can create difficulties, he said.
“Domestic helpers are mostly illiterate, so they find it difficult to approach the police station and are not educated enough to process things,” Mr Jha said.
Now, however, the ambassador is looking forward to his retirement.
“I have enjoyed living in the free society of the UAE with no social barriers and I felt at home and I never felt that I am in a foreign country,” he said.
“I would say, the UAE is one of the best place to live,” said the outgoing ambassador, adding this compatriots should work hard, save money for the future and abide by laws to make the most of their time in the Emirates.
anwar@thenational.ae
