KATHMANDU, MAR 04 - The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) said on Monday that all the preparations for the third edition of the Nepal International Trade Fair had been completed.

"All the stalls have been booked, and we are ready for the fair ," said Kalyan Krishna Tamrakar, coordinator of the fair . The five-day exhibition is scheduled to start on March 6 at the Exhibition Hall, Bhrikuti Mandap and be inaugurated by President Ram Baran Yadav. It will have 350 stalls of national and international traders.

The national pavilion will contain stalls displaying herbs and herbal products, agro products, handicrafts, educational opportunities and information technology. An exhibition highlighting the "one district one product" concept will be housed in a separate pavilion.  Likewise, there will be various stalls showcasing garments, furniture, leather products, food items, automobiles and other products from India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Thailand.

Tamrakar said the fair aimed to attract international investors in the country by promoting domestic products in the international arena. "We have to show international investors that Nepal has potential by showcasing our local products," he said. "Unless we promote Nepali products and services in the international market, we cannot boost our exports."

He added that the fair would highlight 19 products and services that have been identified as high export potential by the National Integrated Trade Strategy (NITS).

The NITS has listed products like ginger, cardamom, tea, coffee, felt, handicrafts, handmade silver jewellery, cotton and other products and services as having great export potential. Meanwhile, a three-day gems and jewellery show will be held at the Hotel Yak & Yeti from March 7. "Due to lack of large infrastructure at the Exhibition Hall, we are holding the gems and jewellery exhibition at the hotel," said Tamrakar.

 Apart from the exhibiting products and services, the FNCCI will also be organising a one-day seminar on herbal products. Tamrakar said that the seminar aimed to promote Nepali herbs among national and international buyers. He added that the fair would be very important as there would be discussions with international business delegates.     

The Nepal Handicrafts Traders Association and the Nepal Herbs and Herbal Production Associa-tion are the co-organisers of the fair . The organiser expects 200,000 national and 1,500 international visitors.