KATHMANDU: The eco-friendly Lokta paper that is categorised as one of the top export commodities is on its way to add more fashion trends and colours along with its participation in the “Paper World Fair 2010”.

During a workshop on preparation for the Paper World Fair 2010, Nepalokta Cooperative chief executive officer Ram Raj Acharya informed about the Nepalokta participation in the fair from January 30 to February 2 to enhance its brand promotion. The fair is the world’s leading trade fair for paper offices supplies and stationery sector. It will be held in Frankfurt, Germany. This year around six exhibitors from Nepal will participate in the fair. The main aim of participating in the fair is to cater to new needs, showcase new ideas, establish trade relations, share industry developments and bring together traders and buyers.

The products of Nepal Handmade Paper Association are gift articles, albums, dairies, writing paper/sets, calligraphy sets, greeting cards and wrapping papers. “The major theme for handmade paper products is that they are handcrafted, and eco-friendly,” said Govinda Pandey, acting project manager of Switch Asia. According to Pandey, the four-year-long project is supporting skill development of rural people in 22 districts of Nepal. The project is working as a mediator for Lokta paper to reach all levels of exporters and enter the European market.