Kathmandu, October 19:

Minister of Industry (MoI) Ashtalaxami Shakya today inaugurated the Handicraft Promotion Week (buyer-seller interface) at a programme organized by the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) here.

FHAN has organised the promo from October 19 to 25 to expand the range of handicrafts in the niche market. Speaking on the occasion, Shakya said her ministry was preparing plans for promoting handicrafts.

FHAN president Pushkar Man Shakya said, “Handicraft business needs small investment. We will conduct training programmes in all districts in this regard.”

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) vice-president Bhasker Raj Raj Karnikar laid stress on the need for the government to formulate necessary policy on the compulsory use of handicrafts. Meanwhile, 14 sellers of gold and silver ornaments and related items participated in the interface.