The Industry Ministry and Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish stalls showcasing Nepali products in Kathmandu's sister cities aboard in a bid to promote exports.

The outlets where goods will be displayed and sold are planned to be opened in 16 countries including the US, Japan, China, India, Myanmar and South Korea.

Dinesh Ghimire, joint secretary of the ministry, and Rudra Singh Tamang, executive chief of KMC, signed the accord in the presence of Industry Minister Nabindra Raj Joshi.

Setting up such showrooms in the sister cities of Kathmandu will help to promote markets for Nepali products in these places, according to Joshi.

“The main objective of this pact is to take advantage of the existing ties and cooperation between KMC and its sister cities around the world to promote Nepali products through the exhibition and sales channels in those cities,” he said.

“This will help in the branding of Nepali products and buyers of Nepali goods will increase. This will support the development and expansion of Nepali industry,” he added.

According to Tamang, officials of different sister cities have shown keen interest in exhibiting Nepali goods and the MoU has paved the way for the development of new markets for domestic products.

“For example, during my recent visit to Shigatse in Tibet, China, my counterparts praised the quality of handicrafts produced in Nepal and offered to promote them in their city,” said Tamang.

As per the MoU, KMC will determine the number of locations in its sister cities based on the space available and extent of demand for Nepali products locally.

The Industry Ministry will regularly seek information from KMC regarding new opportunities in its sister cities to exhibit and sell Nepali products.

Currently, KMC has sister city relations with 16 cities around the world and, according to Tamang, the number will reach 20 soon.