Handicrafts Trade Fair 2015 is scheduled to open at Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall on November 26. Organised by the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (Fhan), the 13th edition of the expo aims to promote and brand handicrafts in the domestic and international markets.

Nepal International Gems and Jewellery Expo 2015 will be held concurrently with the Handicrafts Trade Fair from November 27.

The five-day expo will feature 200 stalls showcasing a wide range of handicrafts including woodcraft, metal craft, silver craft, felt items, Dhaka cloth, cotton garments, pashmina, handmade paper, leather products and bamboo products, among others.

Likewise, 100 exhibitors of gems and jewellery will be displaying gold, silver and diamond jewellery, rocks, minerals, loose diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones and jewellery accessories at the expo. International exhibitors and visitors from India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other countries will be participating in the expo.

Fhan President Hem Ratna Shakya said that the expo would be helpful in promoting

exports and domestic use of

handicrafts by providing a single platform to domestic and international traders.

“Handicrafts have been playing a very important role in the country’s economy, so we aim to promote it in the domestic and international markets through the fair,” he said, adding that the gems and jewellery expo would also help to promote Nepal’s unique jewellery.

Ishwori Ghimire, executive director of the Trade and Export Promotion Centre, said that the expo would aid economic development by promoting domestic handicrafts and jewellery among international buyers. “The trade deficit has been ballooning every year, so we all need to think about boosting exports of domestic products like handicrafts and jewellery that are popular in the world market,” he said.

Ramesh Maharjan, president of the Federation of Nepal Gold, Silver, Gem and Jewellery Association (Fenegosida), said that the expo would expose Nepal’s indigenous gem and jewellery designs as well as traditional-modern fusion jewellery.

He added that the expo would attract international investors and interest in excavating, refining and studying precious and semi-precious stones and raw materials, and exploring the possibilities of their use.  

According to Fenegosida President Mani Ratna Shakya, investments in the gems and jewellery sector amount to Rs500 million, and it has an annual turnover of Rs40 billion.

Kiran Kumar Dangol, coordinator of the expo, said that 90 percent of the stalls had been booked so far. Local entrepreneurs from 45 districts will be participating in the expo and displaying their unique products. The organiser has expected the expo to attract 300,000 visitors and produce transactions worth Rs150 million.