KATHMANDU, Nov 18: The 16th Handicraft Trade Fair has seen a turnover of Rs 15 million in four days, according to the organizer Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN). 

The trade fair that started on Wednesday has traded handicraft products worth Rs 15 million until Saturday, as per the federation. Over 75,000 have visited the fair till Saturday, including both domestic and foreign tourists. 

"This year the number of visitors has increased pleasingly compared to the previous year," said Dharma Raj Shakya, president of FHAN.  "There is a satisfactory increase in the number of foreign visitors as well."

"Forty-five buyers from China have come to the event so far apart from few buyers from Europe and the US," Shakya said, adding that visitors were more attracted toward Nepali handicraft products than foreign products.

He said: "In the past years, we saw that customers preferred foreign products, which has changed this year. We see bigger crowds at Nepali stalls." He added that Nepali products have improved in quality.

Former Prime Minister Jhalanath khanal, senior political leaders, former governors of Nepal Rastra Bank, and American and Sri Lankan ambassadors visited the expo on Saturday, Shakya told Republica.

The event has aimed at enhancing the country's export through promotion of handicraft products. There are five pavilions and 172 stalls from 45 districts of Nepal, and 20 foreign stalls from India, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The organizers are also giving away cash prizes to the best pavilion and best stall. 

The 14th Craft Competition was organized on the sidelines of the event. Winner of the competition will take home Rs 50,000, while the first and second runners-up will get Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively.

Handicraft associations from all seven provinces, commodity associations, and the Poverty Alleviation Fund are also participating in the event. The trade fair has showcased pashmina products, woollen items, silver jewelry, metal statue and crafts, handmade paper, cotton and natural fiber, wooden craft, stone craft, ceramics, Thangka, leather products, and beads, among others.

Nepal's handicraft trade is worth around Rs 10 billion, according to the federation. Nepal has been exporting handicraft products to more than 25 countries including the US, China, India and some European countries.

 
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