Draws over 135,000 visitors, logs Rs 88 million in transactions
KATHMANDU, Nov 19: The 16th Handicraft Trade Fair and 14th Craft Competition concluded in Kathmandu, recording transactions worth Rs 87.6 million. The five-day event drew around 135,000 visitors, according to Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN).
Handicraft products from countries like India, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan, and 45 districts of Nepal were showcased in five pavilions and 172 stalls.
Handicraft fair concludes with transaction worth Rs 80 million
Participating craft producers showcased pashmina products, woolen items, silver jewelry, metal statue and crafts, handmade paper, cotton and natural fiber, wooden craft, stone craft, ceramics, Thangka, leather products, and beads, among others, according to the organizers.
Like in the past editions of the fair, the organizers also gave away cash prizes to best stalls and pavilions. Shree Sabah Nepal won the Best Pavilion Award. The award carries a purse of Rs 100,000. Similarly, the award for Best Stall worth Rs 25,000 went to NP Cashmere House and Handicraft.
Likewise, Minu Bajracharya from Nepalese De Collection (silver jewelry), Prakash Bajracharya from Sana Hastakala (Yak fiber shawls) and Satyandra Khadgi from Kumbheshwor Technical School were declared first, second and third prize winners among commodity. They took home cash prize of Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively.
Similarly, Manoj Shakya, Udip Shaky and Nishesh Raj Shakya were adjudged first, second and third, respectively, in sculptor category, and became richer by Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively. Among contemporary artists, Chuna Bastola was declared winner, while Deu Maya Limbu and Gyani Maya Tamang were declared first and second runners-up, respectively. They took home cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively.
Handicraft associations from all seven provinces, commodity associations, and the Poverty Alleviation Fund participated in the event.
Nepal's handicraft trade is worth around Rs 10 billion, according to the federation. Nepal has been exporting handicraft products to more than 25 countries including the US, China, India and some European countries.
