Minister Shrestha: Govt. committed to promote handicraft sector

Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said the government was committed to promoting the handicraft sector as it has been significantly contributing to the country’s economy.

Addressing the 43rd annual general meeting of the Federation of Handicrafts Associations today, DPM Shrestha shared that the draft of the handicraft policy would be given a final shape soon and high-level discussion forwarded for the construction of handicrafts village in all seven provinces.

Minister Shrestha underscored that rapid economic development is a national urgency and added the government was effortful for the same. The DPM mentioned that the government has been moving ahead by keeping good governance, prosperity, and social justice at the center.

‘Development and economic activities have been kept in priority. Good governance is its precondition,’ Minister Shrestha underlined. Presenting the fact that the country’s economy could be strengthened by exporting handicraft items, Minister for Industry, Commerce, Land and Administration of Bagmati Province, Ram Krishna Chitrakar, said Bagmati province was ready to facilitate export promotion.

Similarly, the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, explained that FNCCI was ready to collaborate with the government. Chairperson of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Rajendra Malla, pointed out the need to introduce different projects to attract the young generation in the handicraft sector.

This sector has a significant contribution to reducing the trade deficit. Senior Vice-President of Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Birendra Raj Pandey, emphasized that the government should facilitate export promotion. Stating that the handicraft sector enhances art and culture, and earns a national image in the international community, he pointed out the need for support from all sides in this regard.

Moreover, the Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Naradmani Hartamchhali, shared that the Academy was active in giving esthetic value to handicraft goods, while Executive Director of Trade and Export Promotion Centre, Sharad Bikram Rana, suggested the entrepreneurs produce goods that compete in the global market.

Deputy-Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Manjali Shakya, stressed support of all three-tier governments in the development of the handicraft sector. Federation President Prachanda Shakya requested for concessional loan to promote the handicraft business.

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