The 15th Handicraft Trade Fair and 13th Craft Competition concluded on Tuesday, recording transaction of more than Rs80 million.

The five-day fair, which was organised by the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN), saw footfall of around 108,000 visitors. There were 200 stalls and 10 pavilions at the fair. The pavilion of the Poverty Alleviation Fund showcased 13 products of 10 districts at the fair. There were handicraft products from 25 districts. The association had provided stalls free of cost for eight commodities associations from eight districts. 

According to FHAN, the handicraft sector has been providing employment to around 1.2 million people directly or indirectly. 

“Handicraft sector has played a vital role in economic development and has also provided employment opportunities to alleviate poverty,” said FHAN President, Dharma Raj Shakya, speaking at the closing ceremony of the fair. He said that export of handicrafts was worth around Rs5 billion in the last fiscal year. The exports figure of the first three months of the current fiscal year has shown signs of good growth. 

“The development of infrastructure, projects and programmes focused on export-oriented products can boost the economy and expand the handicraft business in every village.”  

The 13th Craft Competition was also being held alongside the fair with the objective of encouraging and attracting young people to the handicraft sector. 

There were 41 participants in the competition and three people were awarded with cash prizes on the basis of their products displayed at the fair.

FHAN has been organising Handicraft Trade Fair since 1991 to promote traditional 

and contemporary art and crafts and culture of Nepal. Traders and businessmen from 25 different districts have participated in the fair.

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.