Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 16:

A five-day long expo on building materials, interior products and services ‘Nepal Exterior-Interior Expo 2005’ began in the Birendra International Conference Centre in Kathmandu today. Global Exposition and Management Services Pvt Ltd, in cooperation with the Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA) is organising the expo for the second time in the capital. Inaugurating the expo, Kirti Nidhi Bista, vice-chairman of council of ministers, said that the construction industry is one of the most important segments of the national economy. Quality assurance for construction materials is a must for sustainable development of the sector, Bista added. The government agenda of poverty alleviation depends on the development of infrastructure, while the present situation of conflict has been a problem in developing rural infrastructure, he added. The private sector’s role is important in infrastructure development. In the context of Nepal becoming a member of World Trade Organisation, quality of services need to be assured further, Bista added.

The expo is being organised with the objective to create an opportunity for architects, contractors, engineers, interior designers, policy makers, manufactures, sellers and buyers by bringing them together under one roof to disseminate information on the usage of interior and exterior construction materials.

Naresh Chandra Lamichhane, executive director at the Trade Promotion Centre, said that the accumulated result gained from the interaction between stakeholders and consumers would help in sorting out problems of the construction industry.

Vision and commitment for the development of the industry needs coordinated and integrated approach from government and private sectors, he said. A G Sherpa, chairman, Fair and Exhibition Committee at FNCCI said that promotion of domestic products is important for the growth of the construction industry.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, Prasim Poudel, general secretary, Society of Nepalese Architects said that the event would be a platform for consumers to find out the best quality home appliances. Decorative products, modular kitchen, furniture and furnishing, bath fittings, flooring and marbles and wide ranges of exterior and interior are the highlights of the event. The exterior-interior expo will be an opportunity for buyers to find out the changing market trend and interior and exterior products and would provide them access to all their needs under one roof, he added.

The expo, being held from March 16- 20, would be able to draw about 50,000 visitors feel the organisers.