Furnex Furniture and Furnishing Expo 2018 is scheduled to open on August 30 at Bhrikutimandap. The sixth edition of the exposition will be a home decor special, according to the organizer.

The five-day event is being organized by the Nepal Furniture and Furnishing Association. Rajesh Agrawal, chairman of the association, said that the expo would be a platform for visitors seeking information about traditional and modern furniture products.

The expo will feature more than 100 stalls showcasing furniture and furnishing related products from both national and international brands. The event has been held since 2012 annually with the aim of promoting furniture and furnishing products available in the country. The expo organiser expects more than 50,000 visitors.

“The interior designing concept has spread in Nepal with more people adopting a modern lifestyle, and the expo will be the right place for those looking for it,” the organiser said on Sunday.

The major attraction of this year’s expo will be kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture including outdoor furniture, interior designing and carpet, marble and other materials. Similarly, the expo will showcase carpet, curtain, mattress, decoration items for home, office furniture, home appliances and machinery products.

The organizer said that besides showcase furniture, the expo will also provide information regarding the use and structure of furniture to visitors. “The expo will be beneficial for both furniture traders and buyers,” said Suvendra Joshi, coordinator of Furnex 2018.  

There is no authentic data regarding the turnover of the furniture business, but entrepreneurs involved in the business estimated an annual transaction of Rs30 billion.

According to Joshi, shortages of raw materials and skilled manpower are major problems in the furniture industry.

Nepal is heading towards self-sufficiency in furnishing products, and it has been exporting PVC and ST carpets to India, the organizer said. The production of furnishing products has been swelling in recent years, and this has reduced their imports, said Joshi.

“Like the fashion industry, the furniture industry has also been launching new designs.” Currently, flooring items and curtains are in high demand, he said. “Demand for office, home and exterior furniture has also been increasing at a healthy rate.” The furniture industry sees a jump in business during the Dashain and Tihar festivals.