With the objective of promoting and expanding trade and industry as well as IT in the eastern development region of the country, a nine-day "Eastern regional trade fair-2059" began here on Sunday.

Minister for water resources, Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar inaugurated the trade, industry and information-technology (IT) fair amid a function at the Sahid Stadium in Biratnagar.

The fair is being organised by the Relation-Nepal for the support of Nepal Football Fan Club, Biratnagar, brings together computer enthusiasts and people involved in computer business of the region.

Out of a total of 151 stalls at the exhibition, 35 are dedicated to IT, the computer sector and the latest cyber technology and computer products. Various computer products and programmes of the world leading Microsoft, Compaq, Cannon, Helvet Packard and other international brands are displayed at the fair. Some leading IT institutions like Purvanchal University, College of Software Engineering (CSE), Biratnagar and Computer point are also taking part in fair. The trade fair also aims at bringing all people in cyber business under a single umbrella and spreading public awareness of computer technology.

The main highlight of the trade fair is to exhibit of various industrial products of different companies and to disseminate information on modern technology. Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Korean motorcycles and various machinery goods are also put on the exhibition.

Meanwhile, Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) is organising workshop on IT from Monday, which is first of its kind in the regional level.

The exhibition runs through April 23.