KATHMANDU: The 13th Handicraft Trade Fair and 11th Craft Competition commenced at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu on Thursday. Inaugurating the event, Minister for Industry, Som Prasad Pandey, praised the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) for playing a huge role in strengthening Nepal's economy. 'The fair is important so as to spread the knowledge about Nepal and Nepali art, culture, clothes and language.' Minister Pandey also urged the youths to invest themselves in the industrial sector in order to use the resources for development and not to be consumed with getting a job. On the occasion, Minister for Commerce, Jayanta Chand, said the country offered many possibilities for tourists and stressed the need to enhance Nepal's popularity in the world through its handicraft works. Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President, Pashupati Murarka, said the handicraft was contributing towards Nepal's economic strides. He called for passing on the skills to the new generation. More than 50 Nepali handcraft items are being exported to more than 80 countries including the US, Germany, France, Britain, Japan, China and India. The organiser, FHAN, expects to draw estimated visitors of 300,000 and aims to transact more than Rs 100 million in the Fair.