: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font: normal normal normal 12px/18px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify; padding: 0px;">The third edition of the ‘Made in Nepal Products and Service Expo-2012’ is scheduled to kick off from September 6 at Exhibition Hall in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu.

Organised by the Nepali Young Entrepreneurs Forum (NYEF) in association with Direction Nepal and the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the fair is expected to give a boost to locally manufactured products and promote the service industry.

Themed ‘Our Own’, the fair targets to promote local products under a single roof and ‘reduce people’s attraction towards imported goods’, according to the organiser.

“The exhibition is expected to divert people’s attraction towards local products,” said NYEF President Ajay Pradhananga, adding the exhibition would also promote entrepreneurship at a time when many are being attracted towards foreign employment.

The fair, which is being supported by Kantipur Publications, Mega Bank, Nimbus, Nepatop and Nepal Tourism Board, among others, will have 140 stalls showcasing products from 90 producers.

The products include readymade garments, home appliances, electronic goods, cosmetics, handicrafts items, footwear, carpet, pashmina products and food items, the organiser said. Also, local educational institutes’ information desks will be among the other attractions. The fair also targets to promote the quality of local products along with enhancing producers’ competitiveness. “Unlike the previous exhibitions, which used to focus mainly on branding of Nepali goods, we have also focused on enhancing the trading of products and services this time,” said Pradhananga.

The organisers have expected the event to be helpful in boosting domestic products’ reputation among youngsters and play a crucial role in the export of some potential items. Anuj Kumar Shrestha, coordinator of the fair, said the display would help increase competitiveness of made-in-Nepal products. “The exhibition has also targeted to promote exports, besides boosting the reputation of locally manufactured goods,” said Shrestha.

Different social activities, including free health camp, dental camp and entertainment events like Nepali cultural shows, Teej special programme, horse riding, food festival and musical shows, will also be incorporated in the event. Moreover, a drama from Mandala Theatre will also be showcased during the expo.

Shrestha said they were also planning to hold a similar fair outside the Capital from this year.

“We have already completed the homework. If everything goes as planned, a similar fair will also be conducted in SAARC states as well,” said Shrestha.

The four-day show, which will run through September 9, is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors. Entrance is free and the opening hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.