Kathmandu, April 12

The Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) is organising the 13th International Industrial Trade Fair and Technology (IITFT) Expo 2017 in the Capital from April 20.

FNCSI is holding the four-day event in coordination with the government to promote domestic products from micro industries of the country in local as well as international markets. Similarly, the event also aims to promote the use of different technologies in cottage and small industries of Nepal.

Organising a press conference today, officials of FNCSI informed that the fair will showcase local products from across the country.

“The event is a platform where entrepreneurs can not only promote their goods, but also acquire knowledge on different technology and innovations across the globe to enhance production and quality of products,” said Shyam Prasad Giri, president of FNCSI.

As per Giri, entrepreneurs from various SAARC countries, including India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, are participating in the event thereby giving an opportunity to Nepali entrepreneurs to promote their products. “Nepali entrepreneurs can explore export potential of their goods during the event.”

Organisers said that domestic products ranging from agro and forestry, handicrafts, natural fibre, footwear, fibre, woollen products and ICT products, among others will be displayed in the trade fair. The event will have 236 stalls, of which 60 stalls will promote technology and innovation in the industrial sector, according to FNCSI.

Similarly, 35 stalls in the event will promote local goods from Nepali women entrepreneurs and 10 stalls will promote agriculture and forestry products. “The contribution of industrial sector to Nepal’s GDP dropped to five per cent from 11 per cent in past few years. This is due to lack of use of technology in industrial sector,” Giri said, adding FNCSI has tried to display a number of technologies in the event.