HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

40 business firms to take part in IITF

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 17: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) today said that some 40 Nepalese business firms are to take part in a turn-of-the-year business fair to be held in eastern Indian city of Calcutta.

NCC's President Rajesh Kaji Shrestha said that Nepal would participate as a 'Partner Country' in the 14th Industrial India Trade Fair (IITF) to be held in West Bengal capital from December 22 this year to January 1 the next.

"Nepalese firms will showcase carpets, pashmina shawls, readymade garments, handicrafts, agro and food products plus the items that help promote tourism," Shrestha told a press meet here this evening.

As a 'Partner Country', Nepal will also organise Nepal day, Nepalese food festival and cultural programme in the fair to be organised by West Bengal government and Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BNCCI). Nepal has been participating in IITF for the last five years.

"Nepal's participation in Culcutta fair will indeed be mutually beneficial and advantageous," BNCCI President Sushil K. Bagla said.

Bagla who is presently in the capital to extend invitation to Nepal's Commerce Minister Ram Krishnna Tamrakar said that India offered a good market to Nepalese products, adding participation in the Culcutta fair would substantially promote Nepal-India trade.

India has been a major trading partner of Nepal. During the fiscal year 1998/99, Nepal's export to India amounted to 144.82 million US Dollars, up by 50 per cent from the earlier year.

The major items exported were jute products, rice bran oil, oil cake, pulses, tooth paste, noodles, ayurvedic medicines, soaps, vegetable ghee, leather and hides.

The fair is expected to bring together over 600 companies form India, Nepal and other countries in the region.

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