KATHMANDU: The system of business expos and fairs has always been a good alternative during festival seasons. Besides the regular shops in main city centres, people are arttracted to festival expo and fairs. The busy streets of New Road, Baghbazar and other shopping areas are getting busier than on normal days. Kathmandu folk have started going on shopping sprees with Dashain around the corner. Even the event organisers are trying their level best to get latest stuff for Dashain. According to Yagamber Shrestha, chief executive officer of Sutra International that is organising Nepal Business and Consumer Expo 2009 at Bhrikuti Mandap, trends are ever changing. Therefore, along with consumer products one has a number of choices here with a wide range of electronic, electrical, computer, software, mobile, inverters, UPS, lubricants, kitchen appliances, cosmetic products, herbal products and much any more. “As the people’s interest is growing in property, there are stalls to display new technologies and groups for investment in Nepali real estate,” said Shrestha. “A number of people are interested in investing in land and housing and along with Dashain shopping here we have observed people showing interest in investing in property,” said Umesh Shrestha, coordinator at Kathmandu Property Investment and Real Estate Pvt Ltd. Even the other stall keepers are trying their level best to attract customers with discounts and offers. Ananda Khadka of Shree Balaji Trading Concern informed about huge discounts it is offering this Dashain. “There are discount offers on 1400 VA IGBT whose actual price is Rs 22,900, but here we have it for Rs 13,740 only,” said Khadka. Shopping is synonymous with Dashain, as people believe that wearing new clothes during this festival would bring prosperous days ahead. Shrestha said, “People have started visiting shops more frequently lately and are desperately awaiting new items. The business expo has brought a number of products under one roof. In addition to regular shops in main city centres, festival fairs attract many customers looking for goods at reasonable prices.” The four-day Nepal Business and Consumer Expo has 105 stalls and the organisers expect a sale of Rs 40 million with a visitor turnout of around one lakh. The fair is not only organising sale of products but also organising entertainment events to attract customers.