Step Up Competence Of Garment Industry

THE garment industry is the second largest contributor to the government’s foreign currency reserve. Besides being the major building block of the national economy, the industry has also been providing employment to a large number of people. Despite the economic strength it wields the gradual decline in the export of garments over the years has send ripples in the much coveted industrial activity. The reason for the decline of exports is quite obvious. Garments produced in Nepal are facing a stiff competition in the international markets. The state of affairs as regards the quality of Nepalese garments is making a beckoning call on the government to devise a mechanism to monitor the quality of the products. The sooner the government gives a serious thought to step up quality control, the quicker will the industry recover the loss. Nearly five years have elapsed since the breaking of the news that the Generalised System of Preference (GSP) given to Nepalese exporters would be withdrawn by the end of 2004. But the sorry tale is that no substantial homework was done to hammer out a strategy, which could minimize the risks to be faced by Nepalese garments in the wake of the proposed withdrawal of GSP. A two day national workshop on Competitiveness, Productivity and Job Quality in Garments Industry in Nepal was organised recently in view of the impending challenges before the Industry. The workshop has called upon the industry to develop strategies for enhancing competitiveness. At the same time it has proposed that the government needs to activate its diplomatic channels in the line of seeking the GSP for the export of garments. It would augur well for the government to first work jointly with the industrialists and conduct strict monitoring of the quality aspect before using its good offices to seek GSP as the mistake of trying to propose for the continuation of the GSP without ensuring the quality could backfire. The commendable part of the entire exercise to lift the garment industry out of the murky waters is that the government is cognizant of the challenges faced in the wake of the impending removal of quota system for the garment exports by the end of 2004. Given the fact that the government and the private sector have agreed to work hand in hand to address the intricacies plaguing the garment industry, there are ample reasons to hope for the better health of the industry in the days ahead.

Promoting Handicraft

NEPAL, besides being the land of Mt. Everest and birthplace of Lord Buddha, has earned fame in handicraft production as well. The age-old profession is not only a traditional means of livelihood of a chunk of national population, it also reflects Nepal’s culture and people’s love for art since time immemorial. According to the Handicraft Association of Nepal (HAN), Nepal ranks among the major handicraft exporters in the world with the annual export of about seven billion rupees. Nepali handicraft that includes pashmina, woollen goods, silver jewellery, metal craft, handmade paper, hemp/potato goods, silk products, cotton garments, textiles, woodcraft, thanka, bone and horn products, ceramics, incense, leather goods, beads, and bamboo goods is exported to almost everywhere across the globe, including Europe and America, where such artistic commodities are highly valued. Given the fact that such traditional, handmade products are in high demand in the international market, there is a huge prospect of the development of handicraft production in the country. Apart from earning the precious foreign currency, handicraft export will also help spread Nepal’s image in the world as a country that produces such traditional artistic goods. Since the products are mostly designed to reflect the local culture and tradition, this will also help preserve our national culture and heritage. Moreover, this will inject life to the traditional occupation that is on the verge of extinction under the shadow of modernity. And the most important of all is the development of tourism, the backbone of national economy, promoted by the handicraft export. Once Nepal is recognised as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations, people far and wide will certainly visit the country to savour its beauty and art.

In this context, the government’s commitment to promoting industries that produce handicraft comes as a great relief, especially to those who have spent years in the profession that is facing hard times for survival. In order to encourage the entrepreneurs and produce skilled human resources in this field, the government in association with the private sector needs to launch some concrete programmes such as establishing training centres and providing loans.