Inaugurating the 5-day long 8th Handicraft Trade Fair and 6th Craft Competition in the capital, the prime minister said that Nepali handicraft also reflect national identity and craftsmanship. “There is an urgent need to uplift the Nepali handicrafts sector,” he said.[break]
PM Nepal also came down heavily upon the Unified CPN (Maoist) for fuelling unrest in the industrial sector and obstructing development of infrastructures like Upper Marsyangdi.
Urging all political parties not to let political differences affect the economy, Prime Minister Nepal said, “Such destructive activities will obstruct us from attaining economic advancement.” Assuring that the government would provide them adequate security, he also asked entrepreneurs to operate their businesses without fear.
President of Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN), Bikash Ratna Dhakwa said the fair was being held in a bid to promote domestic consumption of handicraft and hoped that it would help expand the local market.
Puskar Man Shakya, former president of FHAN said the global economic meltdown has directly hit the export of handicraft.
The fair has some 150 stalls displaying various items such as pasmina shawl, stone carving, wood carving, silver jewelry, Thankas, handicraft products, sculptures made from copper, wood and stone, 9 to 10 feet tall full size sculpture, 20 feet tall Syoyambhu stupa, ancient stone taps and materials made from ceramics.
FHAN this year organized a pavilion contest. The party with the best pavilion will be awarded. “Handicraft products are economical and we want to build a sense among locals that handicraft products are meant for their consumption as well,” Dhakwa told Republica.
Transactions of handicraft items stand at around Rs 7 billion annually. Nepal exports 42 handicraft items in 80 different countries across the world.
Top 5 handicraft items (exports)
2009/10 (five months) Percentage change
Pashmina Rs 267.43 million Down by 36.51pc
Woollen Goods Rs 224.85 million Down by 5.68pc
Silver Jewellery Rs 173.36 million Up 8.59pc
Felt Product Rs 151.89 Up 31.85pc
Metal Craft Rs 142.95 Down 1.99pc
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