Ilam's International Tea Festival : Taking Nepali Tea To Global Stage

Ilam, often hailed as Nepal's Tea Capital, is gearing up to host an international tea festival from June 8 to June 10. The festival is part of an initiative spearheaded by Ilam Municipality under the guidance of Mayor Kedar Thapa, with the primary goal of enhancing global recognition of Nepali tea.

This global platform will unite stakeholders from various facets of the tea industry including producers, business magnates, and international aficionados, opening avenues for interaction and trade. Despite the high quality and organic nature of Nepalese tea, Mayor Thapa acknowledges that insufficient marketing has hindered optimal pricing for local farmers and traders.

The festival is envisioned to serve as a vehicle to elevate the agricultural product as a key contributor to Nepal's foreign exchange revenues. Anticipations are high that subsequent to the event, Ilam's teas—and those from across the nation—will penetrate deeper into international markets, with Ilam Bazaar being at the heart of these festivities.

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Under Mayor Thapa's chairmanship, a committee has been constituted to ensure the festival's success. This committee is orchestrating the event in partnership with players like the Ilam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and supported by the Nepal Tourism Board; their joint efforts promise an inclusive gathering of all tea-related entities.

Expressing optimism about the festival's potential to bridge gaps within the industry, Chetanath Poudel (Krishna), Chairperson of Ilam's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted its dual role in both facilitating closer ties amongst producers, merchants, and global buyers as well as fostering tourism.

Notably, every variety of tea cultivated in Ilam will be presented. The organizers have assured that international experts and traders will have opportunities to purchase and vend teas during this festivity. Local tea growers are particularly enthused about this event for its prospects of elevating exposure and sales for their produce.

Mayor Thapa also disclosed that alongside showcasing Ilam’s finest teas, there will be pivotal dialogues centered around 'tea', further signaling his commitment to positioning Ilam—and Nepal more broadly—as a distinguished contender in the global tea market.