Nepal to host International trade fair

Nepal's apex business body is all set to organize Nepal International Trade Fair 2014 in Kathmandu in a bid to promote Nepali products in the international arena, organizer said on Sunday. Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) , the host of the event, said that the upcoming edition of the five-day annual fair, which will be staged on Thursday, will be inaugurated by Nepal's President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. The trade fair will feature a total of 350 stalls among which 200 stalls will showcase Nepali products. Of the rest, 82 stalls which present Bangladeshi products, 16 Pakistani, 5 Indian and two stalls for Bhutanese and Thai products each. "The Nepal International Trade Fair has already been established as a brand in the international level," Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, senior vice-president of FNCCI told Xinhua. "We want to promote local products at regional level, regional products at national level and national products at international level through the trade fair," he said. He said traders and buyers from countries like China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Thailand and Japan, among others have confirmed to show up in the event both as buyers and sellers. FNCI said the main attraction of the trade fair this time will be the showcasing of Nepali local herbal products and gems and jewelry items. "A separate pavilion will be set up with some 50 stalls that will exhibit herbal products including aromatic oil, cosmetic products, food supplement and similar drug products," the FNCCI said in a press release on Sunday. The trade fair also aims at promoting and branding 19 products including ginger, coffee, handicraft items, cardamom and iron products among others identified by the Nepali government as having higher export potential. "The fair has been recognized as a medium for attracting foreign direct investment in Nepal and a forum for extending international business relations," said Rajkarnikar adding that the trade fair will also provide a platform for Nepali traders to hold meetings with international businessmen on investment and business promotion. FNCCI expects to see around 200,000 visitors and 1,500 foreign and 3,000 local traders in the event.