Economy

Handicraft exports soar despite global slump

Published by Octron on June 23, 2009

Despite the worldwide recession, Nepal’s handicraft exports have been able to maintain double-digit growth. During the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, exports rose 28 percent to Rs. 2.7 billion from Rs. 2.3 billion during the same period last year.
Most of the exports consisted of pashmina, woollen goods, silver jewelry, metal crafts and handmade paper.

According to the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), pashmina accoun- ted for 23 percent of the total exports. Similarly, woollen goods made up 15 percent, silver jewelry 9 percent, metal crafts 12 percent and handmade paper 12 percent of the exports.

Among textiles, pashmina exports surged by 21 percent to Rs. 632 million. Dhaka products witnessed a growth of 69 percent with exports worth Rs. 2.7 million. Similarly, woollen goods and felt products rose by 29 percent and 49 percent to Rs. 407 million and Rs. 235 million.

Exports of beads, stone crafts and ceramic products also soared by 102 percent, 58 percent and 39 percent respectively. Bamboo products and metal crafts, however, declined by 31 percent and 4 percent respectively.

FHAN president Pushkar Man Shakya said that the export of handicraft goods was satisfactory as compared to other products. He added that handicraft exports would have been greater if it weren’t for the global meltdown.

“As our goods are comparatively cheaper and are of good quality, I do not expect the recession to affect exports in the future,” said Kush Kumar Joshi, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He also stressed the need to improve the packaging and casing systems of Nepalese handicraft goods. Nepal’s handmade products are exported to more than 80 countries with the U.S.A., Germany, Japan, the U.K., France, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Australia being the main buyers.

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