Kathmandu, December 23:

With a view of promoting domestic tourism and agro-based products, a week-long Sindhuli Festival is being held from January 9 to January 15 in Sindhulimadhi Bazaar.

Organised by Sindhuli Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the first of its kind of fair in the district, intends to promote domestic tourism, local products of agro-based industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), said Min Bahadur Shrestha, president of SCCI, today.

The fair, which will bring together local entrepreneurs, farmers and their products and services from neighbouring districts like Ramechhap, Dhanusa, Mahottari and Sarlahi, is expected to draw more than 2,00,000 visitors. “The fair will not only promote the district but will also help overall socio-economic development of the district and surrounding areas,” Shrestha added.

There will be 125 general and five special stalls in the fair and the organisers expect Rs 30 million worth transactions during the event. The district has a lot of potential to become a domestic tourist destination, as it hosts the historic Sindhuli Fort and is famous for Junar, a citrus fruit and many pilgrimage sites including Kamalamai, Baruneswar cave and Dumja Mahadevstan among others.

“There has been a series of fairs. But this will not only provide platform for local entrepreneurs and products but also serve as a starting point for socio-economic development in the district level,” said Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI.

The apex body of Nepali private sector FNCCI, various government authorities and local agencies are supporting the event.