KATHMANDU, Nov 29: The 14th Handicraft Trade Fair and 12th Handicraft Competition organized by the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal concluded on Tuesday, recording transactions worth around Rs 100 million.

The five-day event, which had kicked off on Friday, attracted around 200,000 visitors, according to the organizers.

The Ministry of Commerce and the Trade and Export Promotion Center (TEPC) were the supporters of the event.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dharma Raj Shakya, president of the federation, said handicraft sector has been helping in economic development by reducing poverty and creating employment opportunities. Nepal exported handicraft products worth Rs 5 billion in the last fiscal year, Shakya said, adding the handicraft sector was employing around 1.2 million people.

The expo showcased wooden crafts, metal crafts, gold and silver ornaments, cotton products, leather items and orthodox tea, among others. The main objective of the expo was to promote Nepali handicraft products in both domestic and international market. The expo showcased handicraft products through 176 stalls and seven pavilions.

Meanwhile, 12th Handicraft Competition was also organized on the sidelines of the expo. Manikman Sakya was the declared the Best Artist in Metal Craft Category. Similarly, Sewa Nepal and Arjesh Betbash Furniture Laghu Udhyog of Rajapur Bardiya took home the award for 'Best Pavilion' and 'Best Stall', respectively. Likewise, Gopal Garu of Creative Wood Carving, Bhim Sherchan of Sher Nepal Craft, and Biswasilo Allo Dhago were awarded on traditional, textile/home decoration, and fashion accessories/fusion categories, respectively. 
Similarly, Uma Gothe Kapali and Padikman Shakya won the first prize in knitting and metal craft categories, respectively.  

 
• 14th handicraft trade fair
 
• 12th handicraft competition
 
• handicraft associations of nepal
 
• rs 100 million