A five-day handicraft trade fair and craft competition will be held from Feb. 18-22 at Exhibition Hall, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu.

The Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN) is organising the event with an aim to develop internal handicraft trade, motivate entrepreneurs and artisans and promote the export of Nepali handicraft goods.

Nepal exports 42 types of handicraft to over 80 countries worldwide. “The fair will feature various unseen indigenous products brought from different corners of the country. Additionally, a display of life-size Buddha statues and a craft competition between seven special pavilions will be major attractions,” says the organiser.

The event will exhibit handicraft products such as pashmina, silver jewellery, woollen goods, paubha paintings, wooden craft, metal craft, dhaka products, handmade paper products, bamboo products, bead items and many more in 150 stalls. Alongside, the organiser will also host two seminars about tourism and handicraft and the handicraft industry and the Nepali economy.

The price of an entrance ticket has been set at Rs. 100. The hours fixed for general visitors and students with ID cards are 12 noon to 5 p.m. and it will cost them Rs. 50 and Rs. 30 respectively for an entrance ticket. The fair expects to attract 300,000 visitors and generate Rs. 50 million as turnover.