The 13th Handicraft Trade Fair and 14th Handicraft Competition is scheduled to start at Bhrikutimandap on November 14. The five-day event is being jointly organised by the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply and Trade and Export Promotion Centre. The trade fair is being organised with an aim to develop and promote the domestic handicraft market.

There will be 200 stalls in the exhibition including those from the district association and commodity association, said FHAN in a press statement. Likewise, there will be around 20 stalls for international handicraft traders from India, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The slogan for this year’s trade fair is ‘Handicraft: Prospects for Prosperity’. The organisers said that they will be developing the trade fair as a business hub for handicraft among SAARC regions.

Handicraft products like wood-craft, metal-craft, gold and silver jewellery, felt products, woollen, cotton and Dhaka products, pashmina, handmade papers, leather shoes and leather related products, natural fibre and bamboo products will be showcased during the five-day trade fair, said the organisers.

Similarly, with an objective to recognise talents and felicitate artists, the 14th handicraft competition will be held alongside the trade fair. Wax statue and dhaka stitching will be held under handicraft competition in the fair. Likewise, discussion programmes will also be organised, exploring contemporary issues regarding handicraft sector.       

Companies will also be revealing their 2019-20 product line-up during the trade fair. Other products to be showcased at the fair include food dishes and costumes from different cultures and communities.

According to the organisers, the 13th trade fair will showcase handicraft products produced from locals of more than 45 districts affiliated to FHAN, entrepreneur members of goods association and small cottage entrepreneurs.

The trade fair is scheduled to be inaugurated by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Lalitpur metropolitan city will be declared as ‘Craft City’ amid the inauguration programme.

The handicraft sector is regarded as an important sector from the import perspective in the country. The domestic market has handicraft demand of around Rs10 billion and an equal amount is being exported worldwide. Nepali handicraft products are being exported to more than 25 countries including the USA, European countries, China and India. Similarly, more than 1.1 million people are getting direct and indirect employment from the industry. The sector has also been contributing in eliminating poverty.