NATIONAL 3 -(Spotlight Weekly)

Venturing To New Market

With the support from British Embassy, Nepalese carpet is now exploring new market

By A CORRESPONDENT

For long, Nepalese carpet industries have relied upon New Zealand for faw material and Germany for the product. With the support from British Embassy here, Nepalese carpet entrepreneurs are now going to import wool from new market and export ready-made products also to new markets.

Even after two decades, Nepalese entrepreneurs had hardly made any effort to diversify their market base in Europe. This is the reason Nepalese carpet exports fell down drastically following the recession in the traditional German market.

Although it is in an initial stage, the joint effort of British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) and Central Carpet Industries Association (CCIA) has shown some indication to market Nepalese carpet in Britain.

To mark a new milestone in the collaboration between Britain and Nepal to promote Nepalese carpets in the UK, twenty-four Nepalese carpets made from British and Tibetan wool will be displayed at the Harrogate Floor Coverings Fair in the UK from 5-7 September.

Carpet weavers : New market mean new opportunities.

Last year, Nepal exported less than 52,000 dollars worth of carpet to Britain. After the promotion mission, Nepal's share in British market is expected to increase.

"This is a classic example of cooperation in action. The BWMB has been exceptionally helpful in donating the wool and providing the stand at Harrogate. And the carpet themselves demonstrate how attractive Nepalese carpets can be when made from British wool," said Ronald P. Nash, British Ambassador to Nepal.

According to the press release of British Embassy, the venture is being sponsored by the BWMB, which donated 400 kg of British Wool to the Nepalese manufacturers.

The new venture has been the collaborative effort between the British Embassy, the BWMB, the Nepal-Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Central Carpet Industries Association

At a time when demand for Nepalese carpet is gradually decreasing in traditional markets like Germany, Nepalese carpet entrepreneurs are now trying to ventureiyt in equally strong British market.

"The new market will help to diversify Nepalese carpet exoirt," said Ram Krishna Tamrakar, Minister for Industry and Trade.

According to the recent data published by Carpet and Wool Development Board, the carpet export continued to decline in the fiscal year 1999\2000 compared to the fiscal year 1999\2000.

"I am very happy to say that the new British market will help to maintain the production and export of Nepalese carpet," said Rajendra Khetan, President of Nepal-Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Carpet - the largest exportable item of the country- has generated over 142 million US dollars in the fiscal year 1999-2000."

Despite potentials to capture the market, Nepalese industrialists have a lot to do. "If the support of British Wool Marketing Board continues, we will definitely be able to tap the British market," said A.G.Sherpa, President of CCIA.

The carpet produced by combination of experienced hand of Nepalese workers and high quality British wool could change the scenario of Nepalese carpet export.