KATHMANDU, Dec 14: Manufacturers of Nepali handmade products have demanded the government effectively implement the policy of purchasing the local products by the government agencies.

At a time when the export of handicraft items is in jeopardy due to the threat of COVID-19 and the lockdowns, the traders have expressed their concern over the government’s reluctance to implement the policy. Issuing a directive on the use of domestic products in government offices in 2014, the government had asked the agencies concerned to purchase local products even if they are expensive by up to 15 percent compared to the foreign goods.

The directive has defined any goods manufactured with at least 30 percent of value addition inside the country as local products. Similarly, the government rule has asked everyone concerned to give priority to the goods manufactured by using local technologies and at the local units.

These include readymade garments prepared from raw materials including wool and natural fibers, among others, wooden crafts, furniture and furnishing products including decorative items, electronic devices, construction materials, farm products and herbal products, among others. But hardly any government body has abided by this rule.

Surendra Bhai Shakya, president of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), said the government agencies need to prioritize the use of Nepali handmade products to uplift the sector that has been ruined by the coronavirus pandemic. According to him, the federation on the occasion of its 48th anniversary is coming up with a wide range of promotional activities.

According to FHAN, in normal times, the sector was contributing around Rs 2 billion to the national economy. Half of this amount would come from exports. The sector is providing employment to an estimated 1.1 million people.  

Nepal’s handicraft business mainly relies on exports to countries including the US and European countries. The much-talked about handicraft villages and SAARC Handicraft Development Centre are yet to see the daylight. 

Sarad Bickram Rana, executive director of Trade and Export Promotion Centre said there is a need for a paradigm shift in production and marketing of handmade products. “There is a need for skill development and promotion of online marketing to make the local products competitive in the international market,” he said.  

 
• handicraft
 
• local_use
 
• COVID-19