KATHMANDU: An industrial festival — Birat Expo 2010 — will be organized from January 19-25 for the development of agriculture, industry, tourism promotion

and development in Biratnagar, an industrial city known as the second

capital of the country.

The seven-day festival will be organized by Industry Organization-Morang, DDC-Morang, Biratnagar Sub-metropolis and other organizations.

At a press meet held yesterday,

member secretary of the festival organising body Som Adhikari said the festival is being organized to create an atmosphere for investment in agriculture sector, tourism promotion and economic development.

New technology in agriculture and industry from China, India, and Bangladesh will be on display. The fair will have 160 stalls. It is expected 200,000 visitors will come and transaction worth Rs 150 million will transpire.

The festival has the slogan ‘’Main base of new Nepal — agriculture, tourism, industry and trade. The organisers will also arrange visits to places of historical and archaeological importance around Biratnagar including Barahachhetra, Koshi Tappu and Birat Palace in view of Nepal Tourism Year-2011.The industrial and tourism festival in Biratnagar began in 2053 BS as Koshi Festival initially.