The 15th Handicraft Trade Fair and 13th Craft Competition kicked-off on Friday at Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall in Kathmandu, with the objective of promoting Nepali handicrafts. The fair was inaugurated  by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari. 

The five-day fair is organised by the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) and this is the 15th edition. There are 200 stalls and 10 pavilions displaying various handicraft products, arts and crafts, gift items, pottery and others at the fair. 

Traditional as well as modern arts and crafts from artists and artisans are being showcased in the fair. According to FHAN, the fair is a platform for artists, artisans, craftsmen, craft producers, suppliers, exporters, importers, and buyers from around the globe to gather under one roof. 

Buyers and sellers from Japan, China, India and Bhutan will also be present at the fair to explore the Nepali handicrafts market. 

“FHAN has been organising Handicraft Trade Fair since 1991 to promote traditional and contemporary art and crafts and culture of Nepal,” said FHAN President, Dharma Raj Shakya. Traders and businessmen from 25 different districts have participated in the fair, added Shakya.

The fair aims to bring new opportunities for artists, artisans, craft entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and buyers to establish business relations as well as promoting their businesses. 

The fair will feature special attractions like intangible cultural heritage, stall and pavilion competition, artisans at work, B2B and B2C workshops, best product competition and trend display of 2018-19. The trend display will offer a look into products that will hit the market in 2018-19, according to the organiser.

The 13th Craft Competition is also being held at the fair. 

The objective of the Craft Competition is to encourage and attract young generation to the handicraft sector. 

41 participants will be participating in the competition and three people will be awarded with cash prices on the basis of their production displayed at the fair. There will be cash prize of Rs50,000, Rs30,000 and Rs20,000 for first, second and third placed winners respectively.

Organisers said that they invested Rs10 million to hold the fair and the government chipped in Rs2 million. Organisers expect business transactions of more than Rs100 million this year during the expo. Last year, the fair witnessed Rs80 million worth of transactions.  

“Handicraft business is very important for the country as these handicraft products are exported not only inside the country but also in many other countries which has contributed in nation’s economy and has also generated employment opportunity for the people,” said President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

Nepali handicraft products have huge demand in the national and international market. 

FHAN exports more than 50 different types of handicraft products to almost 80 countries. According to FHAN, the handicraft sector has provided employment to around 1.1 million people directly or indirectly. 

Exhibitors from neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Pakistan 

will be participating in the fair, said Shakya.