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 25th
to 29th 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 14th 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.
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