Nepal carpet exporters are losing traditional market in western countries due to higher cost of production and supply of low grade carpets in the name of Nepali hand-knitted carpet. [break]
However, the export of carpet rose by 45 percent to Rs 5.68 billion during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year compared to the figure recorded during the same period last year, thanks to stronger US dollar and strengthening US market.
A team of Central Carpet Industries Association (CCIA) led by Lanka Man Roka had put forward a set of demands to Surendra Dhar Sigdel, executive director of Trade and Export Promotion Center (TEPC) seeking government support in promoting Nepali hand-knitted carpet in the overseas market.
A press statement issued by CCIA says the delegation also demanded that the government support the entrepreneurs in organizing different promotional activities such as Nepal Carpet Week and Single Country Fair at home and abroad to promote the Nepali carpets.
Amid deepening shortage of manpower in the carpet industry, entrepreneurs also suggested to the government to set up a training center to produce workers for carpet knitting.
They also demanded that the government declare carpet a sick industry and provide necessary support along with concessional loans to revive the once vibrant export item.
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