The fair showcases products from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh besides Nepal.[break]
The trade fair consists 400 stalls that sell everything from food items to leather goods, shoes, carpets, bed sheets, saris, readymade garments, cosmetics, goods made of wood, plastic and bamboo, paper products and handicrafts, among others.
Customers can buy Rajshahi and Jamdani saris from Bangladesh for prices ranging from Rs 1,500 to 5,000 depending on fabric quality and design.
Likewise, ladies tops made in Bangladesh are being sold for Rs 800 to Rs 1,500, while T-shirts ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 800 are also available at the fair.
If these do not fascinate you, you can check out polymer wares from Bangladesh which have attracted quite a crowd at the expo as the products are cheap.
“We are searching for dealers in Nepal to market polymer wares. These products are quite cheap and are available for as little as Rs 28 (for a tiffin box). We want to introduce these products in Nepal,” said Anwar Hossain, deputy manager of Bengal Polymer Wares.
Like Hossain, many foreign traders have participated in the fair to look for dealers and expand business in Nepal.
Chandra Kanta Das, the marketing executive of North Eastern Development Finance Cooperation, said the company has participated in the fair to find market for products of water hyacinth, a plant, manufactured by marginalized Indian women.
Products made from water hyacinth like bags, coin purse, pen holders, vase, slippers, hats, and baskets, among others, are available for Rs 115 to Rs 1,267.
“Though Nepalis love our products, they hesitate to buy as they are expensive here than in India because of 20 percent tax levied on these products. We request the government to exempt these products from taxes so that we can sell them at affordable prices,” said Das.
Customers can get blankets, saris and handicrafts products made of bamboo, cane and wood manufactured in India at the fair. Live demonstration of the making of wooden and bamboo products by artisans from Assam has also attracted many visitors at the expo.
For those looking for Pakistani products, there are fabric and furniture. Customers can also get Nepali paper, clay, metal, allo and wooden products, among others, at the expo.
Unlike during previous fairs, Nepali pavilion has stalls where Nepal-made shoes are on showcase.
The major attractions of the Nepali pavilion are accessories and jewelries made of Nepali papers by Nepa Bhon, outdoor wears of Kaemp 8848 and the Bhaktapur Pavilion.
The Bhaktapur pavilion has showcased products made in Bhaktapur such as carpets, products made of felt, paper, wood and metal, curd and titaura among others.
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