Happy Deals Trade Fair throws doors open

The Kathmandu Post Happy Deals Trade Fair 2012 kicked off on Thursday at Exhibition Hall, Bhrikuti Mandap. The expo features more than 50 stalls offering a variety of items ranging from ICT products, automobiles, fashion wear and garments to handicrafts and leather products.

Likewise, manufacturers of beauty care products, herbal items and food and beverage besides travel companies have participated in the fair. Organised by Happy Deals in coordination with Expo and Event Management Services, the expo was formally inaugurated by Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Minister Pun said that the initiative of the private sector to offer products and services to the general public at nominal prices ahead of the festive season is laudable. “Economic activities in the country swell massively during the festive season as people shop for goods from essentials to luxury items during this period. Likewise, issues related to arbitrary price hikes and black marketing surface time and again during festivals,” Pun said.

“Fairs like this provide relief to the people and also help the government in its initiative to control prices during festivals.” He added that customers should obtain the maximum benefit from the expo as it promises to connect manufacturers and buyers.

Happy Deals managing director Khagendra Kadel said that the trade fair had been initiated with the motive of helping festive shoppers. “It is difficult for people to rush here and there to do their Dashain shopping. Moreover, people have become busier and they want all the products at the same place. This is why we have come up with this trade fair,” Kadel said. The main target of the trade fair is to make all the stakeholders associated with the event happy, he added.

Likewise, Happy Deals brand ambassador Rajesh Hamal said that the event was the beginning of a happy moment, just ahead of the festive celebrations. “This expo has created a win-win situation for the buyers and the sellers. While consumers will benefit from quality products and reasonable prices, manufacturers will get to interact with them and find out about their preferences and behaviour,” Hamal said.

The fair also offers numerous entertainment and social programmes. Social activities like yoga camp, blood donation and free health check-up camp are being held at the venue. Similarly, inter-college dance competition, comedy show, kite flying and live concert are being held at Exhibition Hall. There is also a children’s fun park. According to Kadel, they are aiming to turn the expo into a place where people from all age groups can engage themselves. Therefore, they have come up with social and entertaining activities for the enjoyment of all kinds of people.

The trade fair is open from at 10 am to 6 pm. Entry tickets have been priced at Rs 100. According to the organisers, they are expecting more than 150,000 visitors at the five-day event.

source: The Kathmandu Post,5 Oct 2012