KATHMANDU, AUG 20 -
As the host for the 10th SAARC Trade Fair, Nepal is gearing up to make the event a grand success. The five-day expo, which is aimed at boosting trade facilities and promoting business opportunities within the SAARC regional sphere, is slated to begin from Oct. 29.  

A steering committee headed by Commerce Secretary Purushottam Ojha has been constituted to oversee the event management and preparations, sources said.

‘Regional Prosperity Through Trade’ will be the theme of the fair that will be staged at Bhrikuti Mandap. Visitors’ turnout is expected to surpass 160,000, including the guests from SAARC member nations and other countries, according to the Trade and Export Promotion Centre.

The fair’s objective is to promote products and services that are manufactured and available in the SAARC countries. Manufacturers; exporters; service organisations; investment and tourism promotion organisations would benefit from the fair, said the representatives of the centre. Moreover, the fair would strengthen the relationship among the people of SAARC nations; boost intra-regional trade, investment; and foster regional solidarity.

“The most effective strategy to diversify and promote exports is through participation in such fair, which provides a platform to comprehend market needs and interact with potential clients,” said an official at the centre.

The 9th SAARC Trade Fair held in Bhutan last year was a success with the participation of 191 companies, including 28 from Nepal. The 10th SAARC Trade Fair is expected to top the number of companies as well as the visitors attending the previous fair. The expo would offer different range of regional products like: textiles, handicrafts, leather items; jute products, kitchenware, home appliances, automobiles and computers. 

Agricultural, mineral and herbal products would also be in display. Service related activities like banking, insurance and advertisement are also expected to find their avenues in the fair.

Tourism mart, food festival, cultural show, entertainment activities, buyer/seller meetings are the other highlight of the event.

All the eight SAARC member nations are expected to participate in the fair. Shell booths could be rented for US$ 600.

Posted on: 2010-08-21 08:50

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