The 15th Nepal International Industrial Trade Fair and Cottage Industry Festival and the Third Organic Farming Festival concluded on Monday, recording business transactions totalling more than Rs150 million, the organiser said.

The five-day fair was organised by the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries. Umesh Prasad Singh, acting president of the federation, said more than 320,000 individuals visited the fair. Singh said this year’s fair focused on organic farming products such as green tea, food grain, honey and vegetables. There were 50 stalls displaying organic farm products.    

Allo (Himalayan nettle), organic food grain from Jumla and Rasuwa, and readymade garments from Bangladesh were the best selling products at the fair, the organiser said. “People have started understanding the advantages of allo,” said Man Raj Thapa who had an allo stall at the fair.

The number of people buying allo products has increased drastically this year, he said. “Allo is good for people with skin allergies. Allo fabric costs Rs800 per metre,” he said. Bags, caps, shoes, scarves and purses made of allo attracted customers,” he added.

According to the organiser, the fair hosted 82 stalls from 52 districts. Similarly, 200 stalls for entrepreneurs from all seven provinces and districts showcased handicraft goods, garments, carpets, and jewellery.

Member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation along with China also participated in the event. There were 45 international stalls at the fair. The international pavilion showcased garments, shoes, hats and accessories.

Sabitri Dhakal, a visitor, said she bought some T-shirts and trousers from a stall that contained readymade garments made in Bangladesh. “As the readymade clothes that I bought at last year’s fair were of good quality, I came this year too to buy clothes made in Bangladesh.”

Nepali people like readymade garments from Bangladesh as they prefer to wear clothes made of cotton, said the organiser. Considering the increasing attraction for organic farming, the trade fair continued the Organic Agriculture Festival this year too. The slogan of the fair was ‘Let’s use Nepali products, let’s be proud of being Nepali’.