The Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) will be organizing Nepal-India Trade Expo 2014 from Feb 13 at Adarshanagar, Birgunj.
President Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate the fair which is aimed at increasing international trade particularly with India and the Saarc
countries.
The 10-day exhibition will display a wide range of products from Nepal, India and the Saarc region, the organizer said. It will house more than 200 stalls showcasing products and services provided by industry, tourism, agriculture, small scale enterprises and financial institutions, among others. The event will also offer cultural programmes, a food festival and entertainment shows.
Ashok Kumar Vaidya, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the expo would help publicize Nepali products and boost expo rts to India. The southern neighbour is Nepal’s major trade partner accounting for two-thirds of its total expo rts and imports.
According to the Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC), India bought 66.9 percent of Nepal’s total expo rts in fiscal 2012-13. Shipments to India were valued at Rs 51.78 billion out of the total expo rts worth Rs 77.35 billion. Meanwhile, Nepal imported goods worth Rs 397.95 billion from India compared to its total imports of Rs 601.20 billion.
Vaidya said that main objective of the fair was to inform the public about products and services to create a platform for potential investors, manufacturers, distributors and expo rters.
"This type of trade expo will not only increase business activities between consumers and traders but also help increase the pace of economic activities in the country."
Vaidya added that there was a need for an international trade expocentre at Birgunj as the district had been hosting various international trade fairs. He said, "We have been realising the lack of an international trade fair centre in the country, that is why I want to urge the government to build an international trade fair centre."
Meanwhile, FNCCI President Suraj Vaidya said that the expowould be important to attract Indian investors. "As India is our main business partner for expo rts and imports, the expo will be a milestone in business expansion," he added. "Birgunj has lots of potential for economic development, and that is why we have to give importance to the district."
The organizer has expected the fair to attract 500,000 visitors and transactions worth more than Rs 200 million. Tickets prices have been fixed at Rs 30 for the general public and Rs 20 for students.
The Ministry of Industry, Micro Cottage and Small Industries Development Fund, Birgunj Sub-Metropolitan City and District Development Committee are the co- organisers of the fair.