Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 28:

With a view to promote carpet production and explore new markets, a four-day long international carpet exhibition is scheduled to be held in Qinghai, China from July 9 - 12.

The Central Carpet Industries Association (CCIA) today organised an interactive programme to encourage Nepali carpet manufacturers to participate in the Qinghai Tibetan Carpet International Exhibition-2004.

A three-member Chinese team, which is in Nepal for a five-day long promotional visit discussed with Nepali carpet traders about probable benefits that Nepali producers could gain from the fair. A G Sherpa, president of CCIA, said that Nepali carpet manufacturers could get a chance to expose their products among global exporters and buyers at the fair. "It would also help Nepali producers to establish relations with foreign importers, who would be visiting the fair. Nepali carpet manufacturers would also be enlightened with the advanced technology perceptions," Sherpa added.

Xian Ba, director at the Qinghai Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, said that Nepali producers can import wool from Tibet which would be cheaper. He also hinted at reciprocal business between the two countries, in which Nepal can import raw wool from Tibet and export finished carpets there.