Khatry & Co. to Host the UK’s First Nepali Handicraft Trade Fair

London – The first-ever Nepali handicraft trade fair in the UK is set to take place this summer.

Organised by the Nepal Handicraft Federation and coordinated by UK-based Khatri & Co Pvt. Ltd., the ‘Nepali Art and Craft Fair 2025’ will take place from 4–6 July in Henley-on-Thames Town Centre, Oxfordshire.

According to Gambhirraj Khatri, Director of Khatri & Co Pvt. Ltd., 15 companies from Nepal will participate in the fair, selling and exhibiting their products daily from 10am to 6pm.

Described as the world’s first large-scale Nepali handicraft fair abroad, the event will follow both B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) models.

Khatri stated that the fair aims to promote Nepali food, tourism, art, culture, and handicrafts. The participating companies will display a range of traditional goods including sculptures, felt products, pashmina, Nepali dhaka, woollen fabrics, singing bowls, silver jewellery, wooden crafts, metalwork, textiles, natural fibres, rudraksha beads, thangkas, handmade paper, and more.

Chitra KC, advisor to the fair, said the trade fair is expected to boost the purchase, sale, and distribution of Nepali goods while enhancing tourism and exports.

The event coincides with the renowned boat racing event in Henley-on-Thames, and the organisers hope that international visitors attending the regatta will also explore the craft fair.

The fair is being supported by the Nepali Embassy in London, NRNA UK, Greater Reading Nepalese Society, Pasa Puchah Guthi UK, as well as several businesses and organisations.

“It is definitely a challenge since this is our first time organising such an event,” said Khatri. “But it’s also a test for us, as we plan to hold similar fairs in other countries after this.”

He added that there is a niche market for Nepali products and that their team is committed to expanding it. “This fair targets British businesses and customers, not just the Nepali diaspora. Engaging directly with grassroots consumers has a long-term impact.”

KC noted that the handicraft sector contributes significantly to employment, production, entrepreneurship, and exports in Nepal, and international promotion will further support the country’s economic development.

Subarna Pandey, who is coordinating the food and social sectors at the fair, said he hopes the event will help globalise Nepali cuisine. “There are around 300 Nepali restaurants in the UK, but authentic Nepali food is still underpromoted. Events like this can make a real difference,” he said.

The handicraft sector in Nepal reportedly supports around 1.1 million jobs and contributes approximately NPR 11 billion in exports and a similar figure in domestic trade.