Bikash Ratna Dhakhwa, president of Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), which is organizing the event, said the daily transaction at the fair topped Rs 10 million this year from around Rs 8 million last year.[break]
Around 40,000 people visited the fair on Sunday. The organizers are hoping an unpecedented 300,000-plus footfall during the fair. The colorful and mesmerising world of artisans and craftsmen would come to an end at Bhrikutimandap on Monday, but the lessons learnt and deals struck at the fair would keep them in the job for the entire year, said a craftsman.
And, there are a whole lot of people who will simply want the fair to continue for many more days. "It´ hard to say good bye to the fair," said a young artsite.
"The business transaction shot up mainly due to the participation of Bangladeshi and Pakistani handicraft companies in the fair,” Dhakhwa said. Bangladeshi handicraft companies have put up 12 stalls while Pakistani handicraft companies have opened 16 stalls at the fair, which is being held at the exhibition hall in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.
The fair, which began on November 24, offers a wide range of handicraft products including leather products, handmade paper products, leather goods, pasmina goods, bead-craft products, jewelry items made of Nepali stones, metalcraft items and many more.
Thimi Ceramics, Nepal´s first stoneware pottery manufacturer, is offering 10 to 15percent discount on a wide range of ceramic products like cup sets, tea pots and dinner sets, among others. The cost of the products range from Rs 100 to Rs 2,500. “All ceramics products made at Thimi Ceramics, including glazes, are made out of lead free, non-toxic raw materials and are durable, detergent washable and safe,” said Sanata Kumar Prajapati, proprietor of the company.
Yak and Yeti Enterprises of Lazimpat is another company that is offering discounts of at least 10 percent and more on various bead products including rings, ear rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets. The cost of these products ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 10,000. “We have come up with exclusive designs, targeting the export market,” said Swoyambhu R. Tuladhar, managing director of Yak and Yeti Enterprises.
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