Kathmandu, September 23:

Organisers of the forthcoming Bangladesh Single Country Fair have said that the fair would help explore business and economic activities between Nepal and Bangladesh. Encouraged by the past country fairs, Bangladesh embassy in Kathmandu is organising the Bangladesh Single Country Fair 2005 from September 29 to October 3 at Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC), ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal, M Humayun Kabir informed a press meet at the Bangladeshi embassy in Kathmandu on Friday.

The fair, according ambassador Kabir, would help catch a glimpse of the economic progress made by Bangladesh and get a taste of quality products at a competitive price from Bangladesh. One of the major objectives of the fair is to create awareness about the potential opportunities in trade, tourism and academic sectors between Bang-ladesh and Nepal. The Bangladesh embassy in Kathmandu has joined hands with the Export Promotion Bureau in Dhaka for organising the fair. During the fair, a business delegation from Bangladesh, is expected to visit Nepal. A seminar on ‘Bangladesh-Nepal Economic Relations: Prospects and Problems’ is also scheduled to be held.

Talking to journalists, Kabir informed that past fairs have encouraged Bangladeshi investors to look to Nepal. Investors from Bangladesh are taking interest to invest in Nepal in areas such as pharmaceutical, education and medical education, he informed. Kabir informed that 51 reputed companies are going to participate with their quality products at the forthcoming Bangladesh Single Country Fair. Some of the companies participating at the fair are Ganoshastha Pharmaceuticals, Jams Pharmaceuticals from the pharmaceutical sector; BRB Cables and Gauss Electronics, Haque Brothers, Agricultural Marketing; Globe Soft Drinks and United Edible from food sector; Mitsumaru from furniture; Mir Ceramic in ceramic tiles; Eshna in jute products, among other companies. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) and other tour operators will also set up two stalls.

The companies would be looking to source products and material as well as sell products in Nepal. The two way traffic is likely to boost trade relations, it is hoped. Items to be displayed at the fair are handicrafts, artificial jewelry, beauty products, garment and garment accessories, medicines, leather products, food products, wires and cables, cosmetics and toileteries, jute and diversified jute products, cement, sarees, home textiles, satellite communications services and stationery.