NATIONAL8 (Spotlight Weekly]

Glittering Fair

An international electrical and electronic exhibition will be held in November

By AKSHAY SHARMA

Nepal has a large electrical resource. And now since the government has given the go-ahead on Private Investment in the sector Nepal has a good future in exporting electricity . Nepal Electrical Association is organizing Electro 2000 -- third International Electrical Exhibition and Symposium at Bhrikuti Mandap from November 20 to December 3, 2000.

With the intention of giving continuity to Nepal's only international electric - electronic exhibition and symposium- Electro tech, which is being organized as an electrical festival, Nepal Electrical Association is going to organize the show for the first time.

In the experiences gained from the previous exhibitions , it can be well observed that Electro tech has helped develop information on various subjects like hydro-electric projects , new technology and new products, while at the same time it has provided opportunities to demonstrate and promote products and services and to share experiences and opinions. Both the events held before have proved to be a common forum for manufactures, distributors, retailers and consumers thereby enhancing general awareness about electricity and its importance.

Electro tech : Selling new products

The event will commence with the motto "prosperity though electricity". The theme has been chosen as a symbol of present need of harnessing Nepal's huge potentiality of water resources for industrialization, energy export and self -sustained economic development.

The government is making efforts to introduce ATA Carnett to facilitate the exhibition. The first and second exhibitions of the biennial event were held in 1996 and 1998. Domestic and international manufacturers, distributors, retailers and various agencies and organizations will participate in the event, which will offer excellent opportunities for business expansion.

More than 15,000 technocrats, engineers, consultants and businessmen would be present at the five-day exhibition, in which more than 125 visitors are expected. Nepal Electrical Authority, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FNCCI) are to support the event, while the Nepal Bangladesh Bank, Alliance Insurance Company Ltd., Eastern Clearing Agency, Newa travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd., Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd. and Unlimited Numedia are official agencies of the execution.

Prakash Man Pradhan said ," Due to the growth of private investment in hydro-electric projects like the Marsyangdi and Arun III, we expect a bigger success this year. The government should help the exhibitors by lowering customs and taxes. "

Pradeep Kumar Shrestha President of FNCCI said ,"The purpose of the exhibition is to help us know the requirement of buyers and to help the economy through exhibition. We have asked for the development of an International Exhibition Center. There is a good future in exporting electricity in Nepal."

Shree Man Shrestha , Secretary of the National Planning Commission said," Although Nepal is rich in Water resources half of the population live in darkness."

"The purpose of the exhibition is to create an environment to export electricity in the country. This will be an specific exhibition with the aim of getting foreign investment," said Nirjal Kumar Shrestha Secretary General of Nepal Electrical Association.

The present need is to develop Nepal's huge potential of water resources into energy and utilizing the same in industrialization, energy export and self sustaining economic development as well as in pollution free transport and industrial system by using it as an alternative energy.