Kathmandu recently witnessed two significant international events, underscoring the country’s growing focus on economic development and sustainability. The 4th Edition of Plast Nepal 2024 and the second edition of GeoMandu 2024 brought together professionals, businesses, and policymakers to explore advancements in their respective fields.
Plast Nepal 2024: Promoting Regional Business Growth
The three-day Plast Nepal 2024 exhibition, held at Bhrikutimandap and organized under India’s Plastic Export Promotion Council, showcased 45 stalls from Indian companies alongside more than 150 participants from five countries. The event aimed to foster business-to-business connections in the plastic sector across South Asia.
Nepal’s Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, inaugurated the exhibition on Thursday, emphasizing the critical role of public-private partnerships in boosting economic activities. Minister Bhandari highlighted recent improvements in economic indicators and stressed the need for introducing advanced technologies to spur development. He reiterated the government’s commitment to amending laws to replace imports with domestic production and boost exports, thereby encouraging local investors.
Nepal’s plastic industry, valued at approximately NPR 60 billion (USD 500 million), is rapidly expanding, driven by urbanization and rising consumer demands. With over 500 manufacturing units, primarily located in Kathmandu, the sector is a vital contributor to the national economy. India, a key partner, exported USD 11.6 billion worth of plastic products globally in 2023-24, further solidifying its role as a major supplier to Nepal. The exhibition concludes on Saturday, serving as a vital platform for advancing the plastic industry’s growth.
GeoMandu 2024: Exploring Sustainable Infrastructure Amid Climate Change
Simultaneously, the second edition of GeoMandu 2024, organized by the Nepal Geotechnical Society, brought together geotechnical engineers, geoscientists, researchers, and professionals from across the globe. The two-day international conference focused on “Geotechniques for Sustainable Infrastructure,” addressing the urgent need for resilient, environmentally conscious infrastructure in the face of climate change.
Experts and keynote speakers from countries including the USA, India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, and Kazakhstan shared insights on the latest advancements in civil engineering. Discussions revolved around sustainable practices in infrastructure development to combat challenges posed by global dynamics and urbanization.
-Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)
