Wednesday, April 20, 2011

National Industrial Expo begins

The 11th National Industrial Exhibition, which is being organized to promote cottage and small scale industries, started here on Wednesday.

The expo has a total of 160 stalls from 50 different districts, showcasing products like shoes, handicraft made of metal and ceramics, carpets, allo and jute products, pashmina, handmade paper and medicinal herbs, among others.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal highlighted the role of cottage and small industries in national economy. “We need to develop cottage and small industries further by encouraging them to adopt new technology,” said Khanal. He also assured government support to help promote small scale industries and added that the government was committed to provide security to the industrial sector.

Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, senior vice president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, rued the lack of proper exhibition hall in the country. He further added that the government had turned deaf ear to their demand of developing an international standard exhibition hall.

Commenting on perennial power shortage and industrial insecurity, Rajkarnikar said the nation´s economy would be severely affected if the government did not come up with measures to address insecurity and power woes. “Industrialists are worried because attack on businessmen increasing. The government hasn´t been able to provide security to the business sector,” he added.

Lata Pyakurel, president of FNCSI, said the government should encourage investment in cottage and small scale industries for economic development.

FNCSI is expecting a total of 200,000 visitors during the five-day event. Total turnover at the event is expected to reach Rs 100 million.

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