Kathmandu, December 3:

The Siddharthnagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rupandehi, (SCCI) today announced the launch of the Lumbini Tourism Mela and National Industrial Trade Fair.

Starting on December 8, the nine-day long mela is aimed at promoting the natural and cultural attractions of Lumbini besides providing a platform to showcase the different agricultural and industrial products of the region.

The fair is being organised with the joint cooperation of a clutch of organisations like the Nepal Chambers of Commerce, Butwal Udyog Vanijya Sangh and FNCCI along with the Nepal Tourism Board.

While this is the second time that such a fair has been organised, the organisers claim it holds special significance this year as it is being held in the changed environment of peace and prosperity following the end of political turmoil. That explains why organisers are willing to spend more this year. The budget for the mela stands at about Rs 6.6 million as against only Rs 3.8 million that was spent last year.

According to SCCI president Krishna Prasad Sharma, a chief attraction of the mela would be the replicas of three religious places of Nepal namely Lumbini, Swayambhu and Muktinath constructed at a cost of about one million rupees each. “This is aimed at simultaneously creating awareness regarding these three temples to not just regional tourists of Nepal but those from the border towns of India,” said Sharma.

A G Sherpa, central member of FNCCI, told mediapersons that 35 such fairs would be organised across the country in the coming year with a view to promote local products of different regions. The Butwal Fair would soon follow the Lumbini Mela.

Meanwhile on behalf of NTB, Hikmat Singh Ayer announced that 2007 will be celebrated as the Visit Pokhra Year.