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Craft exports dip 8pc despite all
KATHMANDU, AUG 04 -
The export of Nepali handicraft suffered a decline of 8.11 percent in the last fiscal year despite a relatively good performance in the last three months.
According to the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), handicraft exports amounted to Rs. 2.78 billion in fiscal 2009/10 compared to Rs. 3.02 billion in 2008/9.
A drop in the export of pashmina and woollen goods, two major components in the handicraft sector, brought overall exports down. Pashmina exports plunged 31.03 percent while woollen goods were down 4.84 percent.
FHAN president Bikash Ratna Dhakhwa said that exports fell as a result of the country’s fragile political situation. Frequent strikes and transport disruptions were responsible for the decline in handicrafts exports, he added.
According to FHAN statistics, exports of textile products decreased 14.10 percent
while non-textile products showed a marginal increment of 0.21 percent. Nepal exported
textile goods worth Rs. 1.51 billion and non-textile goods worth Rs. 1.27 billion in the last fiscal year.
Despite the decline, pashmina remained Nepal’s number one export. Pashmina worth Rs. 473.60 million was exported in 2009/10. Woollen goods, metal craft, silver jewellery, felt products and handmade paper were the
other top performers in handicraft export.
According to FHAN, Nepal exported woollen products worth Rs. 450.41 million, silver jewellery worth Rs. 368.72 million, metal crafts worth Rs. 366.21 million, felt products worth Rs. 352.22 million and handmade paper worth Rs. 270.50 million.
The US, Germany, Canada, the UK and Japan were the major importers of Nepali handicraft products. The US imported handicraft worth Rs. 739.48 million in 2009/10. Likewise, Germany imported goods worth Rs. 318.69 million, Canada imported goods worth Rs. 203.9 million, the UK imported goods worth Rs. 199.69 million and Japan imported goods worth Rs. 164.69 million during fiscal 2009/10.
Dhakhwa expressed happiness at the annual export performance as exports have improved compared to the first nine months of the last fiscal year. Handicraft exports were down 10.92 percent in the first nine months.
FHAN will be conducting business-to-business meetings (B2B) with various EU nations to promote Nepali handicraft.
Top six handicraft exports (in RS)
Pashmina Products 473.60 million
Woollen Goods 450.41 million
Silver Jewellery 368.72 million
Metal Craft 366.21 million
Felt Products 352.22 million
Handmade Paper Products 270.50 million
Posted on: 2010-08-05 08:46
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