Nepal Chamber Expo 2017 kicked-off on Thursday at the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall in the Capital with the aim to develop Nepal’s economy, industrial and commerce sector and to facilitate international business promotion. The expo was inaugurated by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

The 5-day expo will showcase a wide range of products from 8 different counties like Korea, Thailand, India, China, Japan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh along with Nepal.

Thailand is the focus country this year. This means that products from Thailand will be promoted heavily. Thai products ranging from security locks, cosmetics, packed foods and coconut oils are displayed at the expo.

The 3rd edition of the expo is organised by the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in association with Korean Embassy in Kathmandu. It is also supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Trade and Export Promotion Centre.

“It is important to bridge the trade gap by substituting imports,” said President Bhandari at the inauguration programme. She added that domestic resources, foreign capital and technology must be used to promote national interests.

Also the private sector must make contributions to achieve economic prosperity.

There are a total of 225 stalls at the Expo, displaying products including automobile, electronic, flooring and furnishing, home appliances, fashion wear and accessories, mobile phone and gadgets, fast-moving consumer goods products, watches, food and beverage, books, leathers goods.

There are other attractions including automobiles, electronic goods, fashion wear and cosmetics. Recently launched products like Ford’s new Ecosport, Samsung’s new QLED tv and galaxy note 8 and Ssangyong’s Tivoli are also on display at the expo. Highlights at the expo are stalls selling Korean dresses and thermal therapy, Thailand’s cosmetics and Pakistani leather goods. 

 The 3rd edition of the expo is looking to focus on business interactions, exchange of information on import and export and marketing Nepali products.

NCC President Rajesh Kaji Shrestha said that NCC has been organising international expos to promote Nepali products in the international market. “In the 21st century, international trade is very important for making the nation’s economy stronger and we believe that international trade has helped Nepal’s economy get wider and stronger,” he added.  

The organiser is expecting more than 300,000 footfalls during the expo that will run through December 4. The second edition of the expo saw a footfall of more than 50,000 visitors in five days. The title sponsor of the 5-day expo is Samsung Electronics.

“We expect transaction of worth around Rs 200 million in five days,” said Rastra Bhusan Chakubaji, coordinator of the expo.