10th International Trade Fair begins

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 9:The tenth edition of the Nepal International Trade Fair has begun at the Bhukritimandap in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) organised the five-day trade fair with the support of the government of Nepal, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Supplies, Trade and Export Promotion Center (TEPC).

The Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries are the co-organisers of the event.

Inaugurating the fair, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari said that the government is working for policy reforms as requested by the private sector and urged Nepali industrialists and businessmen to increase production and productivity and promote exports.

He said that the role of the private sector is unparalleled in making Nepal's economy self-reliant and prosperous, and that the government is also making efforts for various policy reforms and facilitation for industrial development, marketing of domestic products and export promotion. 

“We have prioritised the revival of sick industries, identification of new industrial potentials and creation of an investment-friendly environment. I believe that this fair will provide a suitable platform for exploring such opportunities and collaboration,” said Minister Bhandari.

Stating that industrial development and private sector promotion have been prioritised in the policy and programmes recently presented to the parliament, he said that the government stands with the private sector in the country’s economic development.

Minister Bhandari urged Nepali entrepreneurs to increase their competitiveness as the fair will help establish the quality and originality of Nepali products in the global market and brand domestic products.

Senior Vice President of FNCCI Anjan Shrestha said that the fair will make a significant contribution to the international market promotion of Nepali products and the economic development of the country.

He said that at a time when the country's economy is still in a difficult phase and market demand has not increased, they wanted to send a positive message to the market by organising the fair.

“We expect the fair to play an important role in expanding trade relations between domestic and foreign industrialists, attracting investment, and creating employment," he said.

Sharad Bickram Rana, Executive Director of the Trade and Export Promotion Centre, said that the capacity to export Nepali goods needs to be increased. 

Umesh Dalmiya, central member of the Federation and chairman of the fair organising committee, said that bilateral trade and investment opportunities will also be discussed through meetings and discussions with business representatives of various countries, including Nepal, China, and Bangladesh, at the fair. 

More than 120 stalls, including those from Nepal, China, and Bangladesh, are in the fair, he said.

The event was also attended by the ambassadors of Thailand and Israel and representatives of embassies in Nepal, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, America, Russia and the International Labour Organisation, said the organiser.