Handicraft exports attain greater heights despite global crisis

25 Jun '09

2 min read

Nepal's handicraft exports have continued to grow in double-digit growth in spite of the ongoing worldwide recession. Exports during the first eleven months of the current fiscal year increased by 28 percent to Rs 2.7 billion from Rs 2.3 billion, which was achieved during the same period of the previous year.

Most of the exports consisted of Pashmina, woolen goods, silver jewelry, metal crafts and handmade paper. As per the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN), 23 percent of the total exports were accounted for by Pashmina. Exports of Pashmina witnessed a sudden increase of 21 percent to Rs. 632 million amid all textiles.

Woolen goods made up 15 percent of the total exports, silver jewelry accounted for 9 percent while that of metal crafts 12 percent and handmade paper for 12 percent of the total exports.

Similar to Pashmina, Dhaka products also witnessed a growth of 69 percent with exports worth Rs. 2.7 million, as well as, woolen goods and felt products saw increase of 29 percent and 49 percent to Rs. 407 million and Rs. 235 million respectively.

Similarly, the exports of beads, stone, craft and ceramic products also rose by 102 percent, 58 percent and 39 percent respectively. On the other hand, bamboo products and metal crafts toppled down by 31 percent and 4 percent respectively.

As compared to the other exports, the exports of handicraft products were satisfactory and it would have been greater if not for the global slowdown, said FHAN president Mr. Pushkar Man Shakya.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Kush Kumar Joshi said that he doesn't expect the recession to affect the handicraft goods exports in the future as Nepalese handicraft goods are comparatively cheaper and of good quality.

Further he emphasized on the need to improve the packaging and casing systems of these goods, which are exported to more than 80 countries with USA, Germany, Japan, UK, France, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Australia as the main buyers.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

More Textiles News - Nepal...