The Texworld and Apparel Sourcing Trade Fair is scheduled to be held at the Javits Convention Centre in New York, US from January 21-23, 2019.

The trade fair expects to receive more than 60,000 potential buyers. The event is being organized by Messe Frankfurt, and Messe Frankfurt Nepal will be assisting Nepali handicraft producers to participate in it.

The Texworld and Apparel Sourcing Trade Fair attracts high-end buyers, and participants can expect to get a huge number of orders for their products, said Binod Malla, official representative of Messe Frankfurt for Nepal. It will be a good platform for Nepali handicraft producers to market their products, he added. As the convention centre has adequate space, interested exhibitors can take part in the trade fair.

Nepali handicraft products are popular not only for their quality, international customers buy them to support the country’s economy, he said. International trade fairs like this brings together potential buyers, he added.

Potential participants need to submit an application and provide information about their company such as the quantity and quality of the goods it produces, said Jennifer Bacon, show director of Messe Frankfurt USA. She said that they were in talks with the US Embassy in Kathmandu regarding providing visas to participants in the trade fair.

Bacon said that the trade fair would also provide extra promotion for the participants’ products through social media. The cost of taking part in the fair is $4,900, and Messe Frankfurt USA is offering a 20 percent discount, she said. “As a company, if you are trying to tap into the US market, it would be a great platform.”

The trade fair will provide all the necessary equipment at the stall, and participants need to pay for the air ticket and accommodation, said the organizers at a presentation programme held in the capital on Monday.   

Messi Frankfurt Nepal has been helping Nepali handicraft producers to participate in the international trade fair since 2014.

According to Malla, around 40 Nepali companies have been participating in the international trade fair annually. Messe Frankfurt organizes trade fairs twice a year in July and January.

According to a report presented by the organizers, the US imported $50 million worth of textiles and apparels from Nepal.