Though there is no official data on domestic demand for Nepali handicraft products, traders say the demand is growing by about 20 percent every year. Hem Ratna Shakya, president of Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), said local market is worth double of Nepal´s total handicraft exports.[break]
“Rise in the number of foreign tourists is one of the reasons behind growth in domestic consumption,” said Shakya. “Besides, more Nepalis are also becoming attracted toward handicraft products.”
Sana Hastakala, Kupandol is seeing sales growing by around 20 percent every year. “Nepalis have started liking Nepali handicraft products. They now know that Nepali handicraft products are not expensive compared to products imported from other countries,” Shrestha said. “Nepalis buy handicraft products especially to gift their family members and friends on different occasions.”
Sana Hastakala deals on wide range of handicraft products like pashmina, ceramics, silver and metal crafts, paper products, felt products, wood crafts, woolen products, and allo and dhaka products, among others.
Mamata Maharjan, sales in-charge of Mahaguthi - a handicraft store, also said local demand for handicraft products has increased in recent years. “Our sales figures reflect that Nepalis are becoming attracted toward local handicraft products,” Maharjan said. “Until a few years ago, Nepalis would hesitate to enter our store. The situation is no longer the same. Today, Nepalis form about 60 percent of our clientele.”
Mahaguthi mostly sells ceramic products, felt products, pashmina, paper craft, metal and silver crafts, leather items, bags, wood crafts and furniture, among other. The store has outlets in Kupandol and Lazimpat.
According to traders, the growing trend of people traveling abroad is giving a boost to handicraft sales. They say such people prefer Nepali handicraft as souvenirs to their friends in foreign land. Traders also more Nepalis are using local handicraft products for household decoration.
Demand for handicraft items like metal crafts, stone crafts and wood crafts are on the rise as many hotels and restaurants are adopting traditional Nepali style interiors.
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