Made in Nepal expo concludes

'Made in Nepal Products and Service Expo-2014' concluded here today.
Organised by Nepali Young Entrepreneurs' Forum (NYEF), the four-day event has attracted some 40,000 visitors with transactions worth Rs 20 million.

"The event was a great success," said the coordinator of the expo Sudharsan Basnet. "The expo witnessed more exhibitors this year compared to last year."

The fair that had more than 100 stalls showcased Nepali products like readymade garments, home appliances, electric goods, cosmetics, footwear product, food products and pashmina.

The event aimed at providing platform for domestic products rather than making money also conducted short research with feed backs from the exhibitors and visitors. “Preliminary report shows visitors and exhibitors have responded positively to the expo,” he said, adding that the Nepali products are despite being of international quality have been lagging behind due to lack of effective branding. "The expo is expected to help branding Nepali products and services."

Leather goods and footwear expo concludes

The 10^th edition of Leather Goods and Footwear Expo that concluded here today witnessed around 2,200 pairs of footwear being sold during the week, according to Leather Footwear and Goods Manufacturers Association of Nepal.

The expo also helped promote 'Made in Nepal' leather goods and footwear, said president of the association Hom Nath Upadhaya.

Though the domestic leather footwear has some 55 per cent market share, the need to promote 'Made in Nepal' leather goods and footwear is very crucial to generate employment and reverse the trend of deindustrialisation, he said, adding that more than 135,000 people visited the expo this year.

Likewise, president of Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), Hem Ratna Shakya asked the government to reduce customs duty on raw materials for footwear companies. "It will help make Nepali footwear competitive in the market,” he said.

Government agencies do not follow government decision

Though the government has decided to use at least 50 per cent domestic products in the government offices, it has not been implemented.

"The government had published a list of some 13 domestic products in Nepal Gazette some six months ago for the use of government agencies," informed secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister Krishnahari Baskota, here today, while visiting the 10^th Leather Goods and Footwear expo.

The government offices must buy domestic stationary products, clothes for dress, cap, shoes, belt, furniture and decorative pieces, bags, batches, biscuit, milk, printing, cement, iron rod, electronic products, transformers, souvenirs, foodstuff, drinks and agricultural instruments, according to Nepal Gazette.

The Police, Army, teachers, and the government employees should wear domestic shoes, he said, adding that the domestic shoes are of quality.

Though the domestic shoes manufacturers have been able to supply half of the market demand, some of the traders have been importing ready made shoes and branding that as 'Made in Nepal' harming not only the shoes manufacturers but also taking away employment and cheating tax to the government coffer.

There are around 700 leather goods and footwear manufacturers in the country that have been not only creating 30,000 direct employment but 250,000 indirect employment apart from contributing to the national coffer. "The promotion of 'Made in Nepal,' brand of footwear will help real manufacturers," according to the manufacturers association.

The six-day 10^th edition of Leather Goods and Footwear expo will conclude tomorrow.

Increased domestic production can bridge rising import-export gap

Increased domestic production is the only option to bridge widening import-export gap, according to finance minister Shankar Prasad Koirala.

Addressing Leather Goods & Footwear Expo-2013, here today, he said that it would be possible only with joint efforts between private sector and the government.

Though the government had brought a policy to use domestic products – even if they are 15 per cent more expensive than the imported ones – in the government agencies, it has not been implemented, Koirala said, adding that the government is ready to discuss on how to implement it.

The government has planned Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Panchkhal and is ready to facilitate leather goods and footwear manufacturers find space in SEZs, he added.

The minister also asked the manufacturers to come up with a clear plan on what should be done to be self dependent on leather goods and footwear in the next five to 10 years. "The entrepreneurs must have a detailed plan on how to get raw materials in the country and increase skilled manpower for the sustainability of the industry," he added. "The economic revolution is possible only with the joint efforts of both the private sector and the government and the government is ready to co-operate the private sector."

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) president Suraj Vaidya, on the occasion, asked the government to check the smuggling of goods to help make the domestic products competitive. "The government must also provide tax break for the raw materials to increase domestic production," he added. "The CTEVT should also help produce skilled manpower for the local industries."

Vice president of the FNCCI hailed government effort to promote the private sector.

"The open and porous border, energy crisis, and lack of skilled manpower have hit the domestic industries," said Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers Association president Homnath Upadhayay.

The 10^th expo – which runs from December 24 to December 30 – that has more than 90 stalls of the domestic goods and footwear manufacturers is also promoting the collective logo "Made in Nepal' to help check the imported leather goods and footwear that have been sold in the market in the name of domestic.

There are around 700 leather goods and footwear manufacturers that cover around 60 per cent of the market demand.