Kathmandu: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ram Krishna Tamrakar today inaugurated Western Region Industrial and Trade Fair-2057.
Agro-based products, handicraft items, carpet, Pashmina shawls, automobile and a wide range of consumer goods are on display at about 170 outlets at the trade fair jointly organised by Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Trade Promotion Centre, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Butwal Chamber of Commerce and Indsutry and Siddhartha Nagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The fair aims at promoting Nepalese goods and services, identifying exportable items, expanding market access of goods produced by small and medium scale industry, and bringing together the indigenous industrialists, traders and exporters at one platform in order to boost the domestic as well as foreign trade.
On the occasion, Minister Tamrakar udnerlined the need for setting up labour intensive industries based on the indigenous resources and skills.
Referring to a number of industries which have turned sick mainly due to the dependence upon the raw materials of foreign origin, he said, poverty would be wiped out once and for all if industrialists and traders devoted their attention on projecting country’s traditional skills without any inferiority complex.
All industrialists and traders should be sensitive over today’s challenge regarding quality products matching with the trend of international market through appropriate technology and management, he added.
MP Surya Prasad Pradhan said since wheat and rice imported from India has rendered a reduction in the prices of local farmer’s produce, the government should take initiative in this regard.
Nepali Congress central member and Nepal Tarun Dal president Balkrishna Khand pointed out the need for giving high priority to national industries and products.
Officiating president of the federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Rabi Bhakta Shrestha said as industrial and trade fair or exhibition has a positive impact on country’s overall economy and on the social life, a separate policy should be framed to regulate such a fair.
Mayor of Butwal Municipality Bhoj Prasad Shrestha expressed concern over smuggling taking place due to open border with India.
Central member of FNCCI Jeevan Ojha pointed out the need of a permanent exhibition spot at butwal.
Co-convenors of the fair Arjun Man Shainju and Dhruba Kumar Shrestha noted that industrialists and traders are being discouraged because of various taxes imposed by local bodies in contravention of the existing rules and regulations.
The fair will continue till December 10.