September 28: The Basantapur Durbar Square area and its surroundings were decked with handicraft goods, clothes, bags, ornaments and articles manufactured from metal and clay on the occasion of World Tourism Day.    
A day-long handicraft exhibition organised by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Hanumandhoka Durbar Area Tourism Association on Tuesday, attracted lots of tourists to the area.    
On the occasion, Deputy Mayor of KMC, Sunita Dangol, said Nepal is well known for its traditional art, craft, culture and indigenous handicraft products. She pointed out the need of producing quality goods and promoting them in order to take domestic products to the global market.    
Domestic products like metal crafts, pashmina, wood craft and paper craft are in good demand in countries like India, China, the USA, European countries, Japan, Canada and other countries. Nepali handicraft sector has contributed to some extent to reduce trade deficit. It is believed that the handicraft industry has been providing employment to around one million people and contributing to buttress the foreign currency reserves through exports. The internal demand for handicraft goods in the country is worth Rs 10 billion while handicraft products worth around Rs 15 billion are exported in a year.    
Various organisations and entrepreneurs associated with the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal had participated in the expo. -- RSS