RUPANDEHI: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal inaugurated the eleventh National Industrial Exhibition and Tourism Fair that kicked off in Butwal today.

The fair, which will continue till January 5, 2010, has called for using national products and promotion of local industries. Some 350 stalls have showcased various industrial products here. Stalls of information technology, handicraft, hotel, restaurants and agricultural products are the highlights.

Speaking at the programme, PM Nepal said that such activities would boost small scale industries in the country. He also pointed out the necessity of using local products for economic independence. Stating that the development activities would gain momentum only through consensus, he called all to end the culture of bandh and other kind of protest forever.

Meanwhile, Minister for Irrigation, Balkrishna Khand opined that Butwal should be as a business hub.

Earlier, PM Nepal had unveiled the statue of CPN-UML leader, late Manmohan Adhikari in Golpark in Butwal-5. Maoist cadres greeted the PM with black flags.