KATHMANDU, March 8: The second edition of Nepal International Trade Fair 2013 kicked off at Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall on Friday.
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) with the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) is organizing the five-day event that will continue till March 12. Federation of Handicrafts Association of Nepal is the co-organizer of the event. [break]
Variety of goods and services from different countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan has been showcased in around 400 stalls.
Speaking at the inauguration program, Suraj Vaidya, president of FNCCI, said the trade fair is being organized to promote the local products, mainly those produced by small and cottage industries, including the 19 products enlisted under the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS). "The event is a showcase for the products of the entire country rather than just a place for trading goods and services,” Vaidya said, adding, “We are also promoting Nepal Investment Year 2012-13 through the event."
Along with local visitors, businesspeople from China and Germany along with high-ranking officials of SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry will be observing the fair, according to the organizers.
“The main objective of the fair is to promote 19 potential items that have been identified by the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) as products having high export potentials,” said Toya Narayan Gyawali, joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS). He added that events like this will help promote Nepali products in international arena. "The government is always ready to promote programs like this that help to promote Nepali products and services in international arena."
The event has stalls of firms dealing on tourism, information technology and business process outsourcing, hydropower, education, handicraft, herbs and agro products, and pharmaceutical products, among others. Similarly, there is a special pavilion showcasing products from Bhaktapur district only.
The international pavilion has stalls of leather goods, garment, new technology and equipment, household goods, gift items, furniture and fashion wears, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad said trade fairs like these would help generate new business and promote trade among different countries. "The rise in export of Nepali products to India over the last five years shows our willingness to promote Nepali products in India,” Prasad said, adding, “Nepal is the best country in Asia in terms of natural resources and it has to end energy deficit to bring down trade deficit."
India is the partner country for the trade fair.
The organizers hope the event will help enhance trade relations between local and foreign businessmen, promote Nepal´s foreign trade, and help attract foreign investment in Nepal.
“We expect to record total transaction of around Rs 150 million during the fair," said Vaidya.
Related story
2nd Indo-Nepal Trade Fair and Tourism Festival begins
