Kathmandu, October 21:

The number of expected visitors in Handicraft Promotion Week exceeded within three days.

Around 500 visitors have visited the promotion fair till today, the third day of the week. Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) had expected 500 visitors in the whole week.

“The number of visitors, on the third day, exceeded 500 which is quite encouraging and is beyond our expectation,” Pushkarman Shakya, president of FHAN said adding that the participants were also satisfied as the number of visitors is increasing and the participants are getting better opportunity to interact with prospective buyers.

On the first and second day of the week — Sunday and Monday — above 300 people visited the fair while on the third day, today, around 200 people visited the exhibition, according to FHAN.

The first day Gold/Silver jewellery and products were displayed while on the second day of the exhibition cotton, woolen and felt products were displayed.

According to FHAN, with the participation of 18 firms and companies, today, there was a good interaction between the metal statues and products sellers and potential buyers.

“Visitors are keen on products,” Shakya said, adding that more orders are flowing in.

Today metal statues ranging from the height of six feet to 10 feet, traditional utensils, metal calendar and household gifts were on display.

FHAN is observing Handicraft Promotion Week to promote handicraft in the niche market and inform the potentiality of Nepali handicraft since Sunday till Saturday.

During the fiscal year 2006-07 and 2007-08 there was an export of Rs 381.11 million and Rs 372.51 million worth metal statues and products respectively. While during the fiscal year 2006-07 the export of cotton was at Rs 101.93 million, woolen at Rs 475.27 million and felt products at Rs 224.74 million.