Industrial Exhibition Proves An Instant Crowd-Puller

Over the last four days, over 30,000 people visited the 20th National Industrial Expo which is being held at Bhrikuti Mandap here.

"There is a steady flow of visitors as well as buyers," said Hem Kumar Rai, director of Cottage and Small Industries Development Board.

However, the herbal products proved the largest crowd-puller in the five-day event. "The herbal juices are better for the health," said Durga Chudal, sales officer of the Alternative Herbal Products that is showcasing their herbal products like allovera juice, Beel juice, herbal tea, avogardo and allovera-mixed soap, organic coffee and many other herbal products.

Providing a platform for small-scale entrepreneurs to exhibit their products, the board is the main organiser for the expo. Dhaka cloth, bamboo products, Nepali handicrafts, food items and stalls displaying other such products made in Nepal are other crowd-pullers in the expo that runs till Sunday.

Hum Bahadur Gurung, an entrepreneur form Syangja came to display his homemade cold drinks, which sold out today. "I sold cold drinks worth Rs 10,000 and that was very gratifying," added Gurung, who has also received a letter of appreciation and certification for his cold drinks from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.

"The expo is to showcase Nepali products and encourage people to use products made in Nepal," director Rai said adding that they are also providing a platform for small entrepreneurs to promote their products at the national and international levels. Meanwhile, an interaction was held at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) among government agencies, importers, exporters and small entrepreneurs to discuss their needs and problems.

There are 162 stalls set up by small entrepreneurs and 13 stalls provided by the sponsors while there are 357 participants from 71 districts who are displaying their products.
The expo is supported by NTB, FNCCI and several other organisations.