Kathmandu, March 16

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has vowed to expedite the process to construct an international standard exhibition hall in Chobhar, Kathmandu, at the earliest.

With this commitment from the prime minister, the long-planned construction of an exhibition hall in Chobhar is likely to gain momentum.

Inaugurating the sixth edition of Nepal International Trade Fair 2017, which kicked off in the Capital today, PM Dahal said that the government will initiate talks to introduce provisions for the construction of such exhibition hall in Chobhar.

“Undoubtedly, Nepal does not have a proper venue to hold large exhibitions. The government will facilitate the private sector to promote domestic goods and services by constructing an international standard exhibition hall,” he stated.

In this regard, a Cabinet meeting later today formed a committee under the coordination of Minister for Commerce Romi Gauchan Thakali to expedite the construction process of international standard exhibition centre in Chobhar.

At the inaugural session of the trade fair, Dahal also expressed his commitment to support the private sector wholeheartedly to strengthen the industrial environment in Nepal and take the country’s economic growth to a higher level.

Speaking at the event, Pashupati Murarka, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that the annual event of this type aims at promoting local goods among domestic and foreign consumers.

“Promoting local industries and their products is the only way through which Nepal can achieve the economic growth target and prosperity,” he said, adding that such events play the role of a catalyst to enhance the brand of domestic products and services.

On the occasion, Senior Vice President of FNCCI Bhawani Rana, said that promoting domestic products is the need of the hour to narrow down the high trade deficit of the country.

Likewise, Keshav Pandey, chairman of the Trade Fair Committee of FNCCI, said that the exhibition will play a crucial role to give momentum to the country’s economy and boost the morale of local entrepreneurs.

According to organisers, the five-day event will promote domestic products and services prioritised by the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) 2016. Last year, the government had revised NTIS prioritising nine products and three services like tea, cardamom, ginger and medicinal and aromatic plants, carpets, leather products, pashmina, footwear and textiles, among others. Similarly, local products like wood and paper craft, jewellery, agro and food products are also being promoted in the event, as per FNCCI.

As per organisers, domestic and foreign traders are showcasing their goods through almost 325 stalls in the event. Chinese traders are promoting Chinese goods and services in 80 stalls, India in 10 stalls, Pakistan in 20 stalls, Bangladesh in 65 stalls and traders of Thailand in two stalls, according to the organisers.

FNCCI has set a target to attract almost 500,000 visitors and expects transactions of more than Rs 200 million to take place during the event.

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