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Handicraft exports down 10 percent
KATHMANDU, JUN 03 -
The export of Nepali handicraft goods has declined by 10.42 percent in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year.
The export of textile products has decreased by 17.82 percent while the export of non-textile products has gone down marginally by 0.10 percent. Nepali exported handicraft goods worth Rs 2.18 billion during the period including textile goods worth Rs 1.16 billion and non-textile goods worth Rs 1.01 billion.
In the same period last year, Nepal had exported handicraft worth Rs. 2.43 billion. President of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal Bikash Ratna Dhakhwa said, "The export of handicraft goods was seriously hampered by political instability in the country pushing down demand."
He added that importers had complained that silver handicraft products contained cadmium and that other metal items contained elements like lead and zinc which had contributed to a drop in exports.
Dhakhwa said that they were coming up with different strategies to boost handicraft exports. He added, "We are planning to participate in different trade fairs in China, Thailand and the US. This will help us to build trade relationships with these countries."
As per the federation's data, the export of major products like pashmina has declined by 35.10 percent, allo goods by 65.08 percent, dhaka products by 46.27 percent, plastic items by 58.02 percent, leather goods by 43.23 percent, thanka paintings by 24.81 percent, bead items by 47.67 percent, hemp goods by 38.68 percent and silk products by 27.07 percent.
Pushkar Man Shakya, past president of the federation, said that delays in shipment due to frequent protests, strikes and bandas were a major reason behind the fall.
"The government should emphasise economic diplomacy to help regain the fame of Nepali products," he added.
However, exports of some handicraft products such as felt products have increased by 33.71 percent, glass products by a whopping 120.81 percent, bone and horn products by 58.16 percent, ceramic products by 20.20 percent and incense by 13.06 percent.
Posted on: 2010-06-04 08:32
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