Handicraft Trade fair to feature ICH

Kathmandu, Nov. 20: With a view to display upcoming trend of handicraft items and bring the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) to the fore, the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) is organising a Handicraft Trade Fair in the capital from 25^th to 29^th November.

FHAN president Dharma Raj Shakya said, in a press conference, on Sunday that the introduction of intangible cultural heritages such as ritual mask dances, traditional musical orchestra, culture, cuisine and costume would give visitors an opportunity to observe, enjoy and engage with different cultural heritage of Nepal.

Handicraft entrepreneurs are planning to demonstrate items designed from Nepali handmade paper, ceramic, pashmina, wool and gold and silver products targeting the future market demand. 

The 14^th edition of the largest exhibition of handicraft products will also feature handicraft competition with live demonstration on weaving and copper art.

"The fair aims at bringing lot of opportunities to artisans and craft entrepreneurs for business promotion. It will provide a platform for B2B (business to business) meeting for international as well as domestic buyers as well as for market research for vendors, suppliers, exporters and crafts people," said Shakya.

The fair also seek to provide market access for emerging enterprises, showcase the richness of ICH and their intrinsic relationship with art and crafts, and raise awareness among stakeholders and policy makers regarding the need for safeguarding and promotion of ICH.

The fair will host exhibition of wood carving, metal crafts, handmade paper, textile, stone carving personal accessories and fashion, pashmina products, shoe, gabs and other accessories, silver and metal jewelry, bead crafts, garments and other handicraft products.

With the theme 'prospect for prosperity', the fair will include handicraft entrepreneurs from District Handicraft Associations, the Kathmandu Valley and representatives from other 25 districts.

Goods included in the National Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) will also be incorporated in the exhibition.

"Handicraft sector has a huge potential to create large number of jobs after agriculture in the country. Handicraft items not only represent art and culture of the country, they have preserved the identity of Nepal in the international markets," said Toya Narayan Gyawali, joint secretary at the Ministry of Supplies.

Saying that the government was working and collaborating with the private sector in export promotion of Nepalese goods, he stated that the government would support the trade fairs at the local, national and international level in order to take the local goods to the international level and facilitate the technology transfer from the developed countries to Nepal.

The fair will have 176 stalls along with seven pavilions.

The organizers are expecting buyers from China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and other countries.

"We are hoping for Rs. 100 million transaction during the fair and turnover of 200,000 visitors," said Shakya.

On the occasion, the FHAN will felicitate senior artists and experts Karji Ratna Shakya, Ananda Raj Shakya, Chini Kaji Shakya, Satya Mohan Joshi, Bekha Ratna Shakya, Kalu Kuma, Nema Nanda Shilpakar and Rudra Raj Shakya for their contribution in the development of handicraft sector.

The handicraft sector is one of the major contributors in Nepal's export with more than Rs. 10 billion export to more than 80 countries, and has the same amount of internal consumption.

The business has directly and indirectly employed more than 1.1 million across the country.