The Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) is considering listing metal craft and garments made of natural fibres among the country’s major exportable items. The ministry has formed a cell to study the issue and add these two products to the list in response to discontent that they have not been included in the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) 2010 as priority export items.

The NTIS cell in its preliminary draft has included metal craft and garments in the list of exportable items. They will make it into the NTIS after the government gives its go-ahead.

According to the Federation of Handicrafts Associations of Nepal (FHAN), the cell has prepared the preliminary draft that includes metals craft and garments from other natural fibres which are not currently in the list of the NTIS.

“We have considered the need to list these products with the 19 other products identified by the NTIS as major exportable items,” said FHAN president Bikash Ratna Dhakhwa who is also the coordinator of the cell.

For more information http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/01/30/business/govt-plans-to-add-metal-craft-garments-to-major-exports-list/348112.html