Kathmandu, October 1:

South Asian countries are showcasing their products and services at the South Asian

Countries Commodity Fair 2007, to be held on December 28-30 in Beijing.

Organised by the ministry of commerce of China, the event has Federation of Nepalese Cha-mbers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Nepal-China Executive Council as co-organisers.

South Asian countries including Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are taking part in the event. These countries will showcase their products and services through 300 different stalls in the event.

Nepal will have special participation in the event led by FNCCI and the ministry of industry, commerce and supplies will represent the government. “Nepal plans to organise special seminars on investment promotion as well as other prospective business ties with Chinese entrepreneurs,” said Kush Kumar Joshi, second vice-president of FNCCI.

He further said that Nepal has taken the event as an opportunity to explore business opportunities in China as well as inviting Chinese investors to Nepal to invest in potential sectors. “Most important aspect of the fair is all participating countries will be looking ways for downsizing the mounting trade deficit with China,” Joshi added.

Nepal pavilion will have 30 stalls, showcasing products like tanned skin, herbal products, vanaspati ghee, handicrafts, handmade paper and carpets.

Tian Linan, second secretary, economic and commerce at Chinese embassy in Kathmandu, said that the event will foster people to people relation between the two countries.