Felt exports up by 33 per cent

Kathmandu, Dec. 29:

Felt products have emerged as a sector of high export potential with steady growth in exports over the years.

According to the Nepal Wool Felt Producers and Exporters Association (NWFPEA), the export of felt-related goods and handicrafts was about Rs. 1.5 billion last fiscal year 2015/16, which is about 33 per cent higher than in the previous FY 2014/15.

Statistics of the Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC) show that felt goods equivalent to about Rs. 1.7 billion were exported last fiscal year, but president of the NWFPEA Naresh Lal Shrestha said that the exports were much higher as the tourists visiting Nepal often carry felt products back home.

Felt goods worth Rs. 916 million were exported in FY 2014/15, Rs. 738 million in FY 2013/14, Rs. 535 million in FY 2012/13 and Rs. 474 in FY 2011/12.

"The export of wool felt products occupies first position among textile products being exported from Nepal while felt products ranks second position in the overall export of handicraft products after metal products," Shrestha said while addressing the 8^th Annual General Meeting of the NWFPEA, Thursday.

About 25,000 jobs have been created in the wool felt industries, where 80 per cent of the workers are illiterate and 20 per cent are youths.

The felt industry has picked up momentum in Nepal as it does not require much electricity, the products are handmade and unskilled labour is aplenty.

"But lack of skilled labour and design institutions, and the need to import raw materials greatly impact this sector. Therefore, the government should support us in establishing training institutions and formulate the necessary plans and policies for sheep farming, which will not only help the felt industries but also help farmers in the rural areas," said Shrestha.

Minister for Industry Nabindra Raj Joshi praised the felt industries for creating employment and contributing to the government's revenue.

"We have a challenge to motivate the youth to be entrepreneurs and stay in the country instead of flying abroad in search of job opportunities," he said.

He urged the business community to come up with a concrete plan to develop the business sector and think of the common good instead of their personal benefits.

On the occasion, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Pashupati Murarka was critical of the government for turning a deaf ear to the demands of entrepreneurs in facilitating business and export.

He said that the generators of employment were not getting enough support, incentives and tax waiver "even though we have been demanding them for many years."

"We work in extreme conditions, but the government hesitates to provide us even the basic facilities which should be provided to the common citizens. Our policy makers do not consider the economic agenda an integral part of the country's progress and development," he said.

Chairman of Export Promotion Committee of the FNCCI Anup Bahadur Malla urged the government to provide double digit incentives to export-oriented industries, support in the value addition of raw materials like gemstone and herbs, establish accredited labs and facilitate the exporters to participate in international trade fairs.

ent to appoint the vacant seats of election commissioners and provide necessary resources and equipments to the ECN.

The Committee also held discussion with the Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Hit Raj Pandey, chief whips of various political parties, and high government officials from the OPMCM and MoFALD.