Samsonite keen to make Nepal export point

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 21: If SAFTA treaty goes as planned foreign investors and multi-nationals seem willing to take advantage of duty free trade in South Asia.

Samsonite, the travel goods manufacturer, is already talking with the Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) to make Nepal as an export point for reaching eastern parts of India and Bangladesh.

"We even have plans to establish a manufacturing unit in Nepal," said Dr. Ramesh Tainwala, Samsonite’s Chief Operating Officer in South Asia at the launching of two new brands - Cruisair and Flite.

Samsonite Nepal was established one-and-a-half years ago. He said Samsonite would soon open two of its own retail outlet shops in Kathmandu with after service facilities. "This would make our presence in the local luggage market even stronger," Tainwala said. It already has about 15 outlets in Nepal through other retailers. He claimed that Samsonite already holds 60 per cent market in luggage and bags segments.

It plans to offer new products in Nepal almost simultaneously as in America and Europe. The main advantage for the buyers would be they would get the goods at less than half price than other places such as in Singapore or Hong Kong. "That is possible because we subsidise our prices according to the purchasing power of the people," Tainwala said. He said they would launch American Tourister brand of bags, backpacks and luggage, which are aimed at the young people. Our major clients are the local people, but the tourists will also find them far cheaper than in other countries, he said.