Kathmandu, March 16

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari is scheduled to inaugurate the Nepal International Trade Fair (NITF)-2016 here at Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall tomorrow.

The fifth edition of the trade fair — a calendar event aimed at promoting Nepal’s international trade and enhancing the growth of Nepali exportable product base focusing on Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) identified products — will have 350 stalls showcasing local as well as foreign products from countries like India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, among others.

“There will be 70 stalls showcasing products from India, 90 from China, 20 from Pakistan and five from Bangladesh, while the remaining stalls will be displaying Nepali products,” as per a media release issued today by the main organiser — Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).

There will be separate stalls showcasing handicraft, information and technology products, agricultural tools, energy, education and surgical steel, among others. Similarly, the exhibitors will also be displaying readymade garments, leather and leather products, high-tech equipment, furniture and home décor.

CEO of Trade and Export Promotion Centre Ishwari Prasad Ghimire, addressing a press meet today, expressed commitment of the government and FNCCI in developing the fair at par with international standards in the future.

The organisers hope the trade fair will be a one-stop shop for local as well as international visitors and provide a platform for the exhibitors to exchange ideas and knowledge on their related fields, along with exploring investment avenues.

“This fair is taken as an important link in attracting foreign investment and enhancing international trade,” the release quotes Keshav Raj Pandey, chairman of Trade Fair Committee of FNCCI.

The fair, which is scheduled to conclude on March 21, is being organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and co-organised by Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal and Nepal Herbs and Herbal Products Association.

The organisers are expecting a footfall of over 125,000 visitors — importers and exporters, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers, foreign diplomats, foreign trade delegations, agents/distributors, government officials, media persons, students and general public — during the five-day event, as per FNCCI website.

Premier Insurance is the official insurance firm for the fair, Ganesh Air Cargo is the official cargo company and Mercantile Pvt Ltd is the official internet service provider. The event is supported by China Exhibition and Forum Pvt Ltd and Arghakhanchi Cement, while the fair is being managed by Rise Event.