Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1.1 Introduction To Handicraft Business in Nepal
1.1 Introduction To Handicraft Business in Nepal
1. Introduction
Handicraft generally means any product solely made by human hands without
using any kind of complicated machinery or equipment. Handicraft consults
intelligence of Artisans, influencing the traditional or modem artists. It is an art or
craft needing skill with hands.
Art is associated with human nature human nature and their feelings, which
has been accepted widely. Handicraft whole include the art of hand and mind, thus the
production is very much low. As nature of mankind, things which are not easily
available human are more attracted towards it. This way handicraft popularity has
been increasing day by day.
Nepal is our landlocked country and cultural and traditional country so export
of handicrafts helps to develop the country. Handicrafts are source of earning of
foreign currency that's why craftsman should be aware and they should be able to
collect information about the handicrafts.
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1.2 Historical Background of Handicrafts Association of Nepal
HAN was established in 1971 to enhance and to promote handicraft trade and
industry. It was registered under Institution Registration Act of Nepal. It is a service
oriented non-profitable organization of private sector business and artisans'
community. It helps its members to improve their productivity, expand markets and
introduce them to the international arena. It also works as liaison between its members
and the government and non-government organizations. It provides pragmatic
suggestions and advice to His Majesty's Government and its related agencies to
formulate policy programs for the betterment of handicraft trade and industry.
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shapes and figures of objects which to later give birth to a different profession
altogether called metalwork or metal casting.
During the 13th century when Araniko finished making copper statues of 'Sung
Emperor' it looked so perfect that china were very impressed, they expressed very
sincere and deep appreciation for his artistic genius.
Handicrafts created by using the metal termed as Metal Crafts. Metal generally
used for metal craft are Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Bronze. At first the artist creates a
desired image in wax using his expert hands and simple tolls made out of animal
horns. The metals are casted using a very primitive method of metal casting known as
the lost wax method and the metals used for the purpose are bronze, brass and copper.
Bronze is an alloy of 75% copper and 25% tin. Bronze, this is relatively more
expensive than copper is also known as Kasa. Like Bronze, brass or 'pittal' is an
alloy with 75% copper and 25% zinc. The lost-wax method, which was introduced by
the Egyptians during the Bronze Age, is known today as the investment method of
casting. This process is also known as the precision-casting process.
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and mud. The same 'maina' is further wrapped up with a paste that is a mixture of
cow-dung, rice chaff and mud. Depending on the size of these pieces, these mixtures
are applied on to them. Usually the mixture is applied in two layers and it covers the
unreachable comers too. However the bigger 'mainas' need at least 5 coatings.
Thereafter, these dices are left to dry in the sun. It is to be reminded here that this
process is not used in the monsoons for the dried in the sun. However some of the
craftsmen do continue with the process in room temperature thereby taking more days
for plastered 'maina' to dry up.
These beautiful metallic parts are later united or brought together by gas
welding and by using copper nails. Only brass statues are coloured with boot polish,
which is quite an outdated practice but still very effective. Both brown and black
coloured boot polish are used. Bronze is used only for making bells especially the
bells used for ringing and not used as a showpiece.
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1.4 1. Tools & Equipment Used by Metal Craftsmen
i A clay oven
iv Forceps
v Hammer
vi Tongs
vii Scissors
viii Chisel
ix File
xi Ruler
b) Registration of Firm/Company/Industry
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g) Advance payments are deposited, in convertible currency, in the exporter's
bank account
p) Authorization letter
t) G.S.P.formA
u) No objection letter from HAN for products made from the parts of
domestic animals.
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sheets and wires, zinc ingots etc. Because of irregular and short supply of basic raw
materials, the industry is forced to use whatever scrap metals are found in market.
1 To promote the handicraft product & analyze the trend of metal crafts.
Metal Handicrafts plays a significant role in the foreign trade of our country.
Nepalese handicrafts especially Metal Handicrafts get a good name due its unique
beauty and artistic & cultural value.
Records dating back to mid-1500s also describe the flourishing metal industry
in a section of Patan. Probably the availability of copper deposits in this area
accelerated the flourishing of the industry. Until this day the city of Patan beats and
thrives with the metal casting industry, which has become a lifeline of sorts to these
people. This city, which is the manufacturing core of statues cast in metal sculptures,
exports its products to the world outside apart from serving the indigenous market.
Newars of the valley, renowned for ages comprise the majority of skilled and
preferred artisians.
The export of metal crafts, metal figures and the filigree works is of greater
importance. It can be of great importance to the national economy if it develops in
designs and achieving economic in production.
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1.8 Limitations of Study
The limitations of study are as follows:-
1) This study does not include other handicrafts that are exported to other
countries.
2) This study is mainly based on secondary data and no primary means have
been used for data collection.
3) This study of this report is based on the area of Kathmandu Valley
whereas it should be study on Lalitpur because Craftsmen and producers
are in Patan and Bhaktapur.
4) It only deals with overseas export and promotional aspects.
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CHAPTER II
The analysis was done to figure out the present condition of Metal Handicraft in the
total export, country wise export of Metal Handicrafts.
Table: 1
Export of all Handicrafts 2059/60 to 2062/63
% change %
Product Name 2068/69 2069/70 2068/69 2068/69
S. N. (+/-) change
e (+/-)
1. Pashmina 2060120389 413067961 -79.95 535,712,857 552,347,119 3
2. Woolen Goods 67,408,844 48,613,430 -27.88 335,705,373 396,385,778 18
3. Silver Jewellery 54,672,913 52,472,745 -4.02 269,861,636 282,442,650 5
4. Handmade Paper 50,567,347 46,605,111 -7.84 199,065,833 199,261,353 0.10
Products
5. Metal crafts 58,776,206 53,233,368 -9.43 215,080,424 242,609,525 13
6. Silk Products 83,366,630 10,211,775 22.49 111,624,285 95,297,987 -15
7. Cotton Goods 16,385,322 17,505,082 6.83 88,121,510 73,321,028 -17
8. Wood Craft 10,230,644 7,187,861 -29.74 49,224,580 50,588,484 3
9. Hemp/Allo Goods 4,065,602 4,682,668 15.18 28,268,284 43,850,775 55
10 Leather Goods 7,025,104 12,211,376 73.82 17,108,724 17,227,210 1
11. Incense 3,394,647 2,844,200 -16.22 12,597,644 15,226,166 21
12. Pauba (Thanka) 3,351,492 4,646,756 38.65 10,202,518 15,330,783 50
13. Ceramics products 1,203,776 2,082,068 72.96 8,714,618 13,182,467 51
14. Bone $ Horn 3,237,669 2,663,482 -17.73 7,575,792 10,270,967 36
Products
15. Plastic Items NA 2,99,513 NA 4,364,620 5,958,999 37
16. Other Textile 7,368,573 2,190,520 -70.27 5,438,054 5,315,042 -2
Products
17. Beads Items 2,360,114 1,554,016 -34.16 4,453,260 5,057,458 14
18. Dhaka Products NA NA NA 4,277,196 2,879,216 -33
19. Stone Crafts NA 29,9513 NA 2,236,531 2,387,819 7
20. Bamboo Products 22,4450 28,2924 26.05 1,794,174 1,891,230 5
21. Tea NA NA NA 3,095,414 9,923,233 221
22. Miscellaneous 5,509,318 4,192,737 -23.9 25,972,817 31,500,387 21
Total
Good 2364239040 686834553 -70.95 1,940,496,14 2,072,255,67 7
Source: Handicraft Association of Nepal 3 5
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Other Textile Products include products made from Rayon, Nettle, Polyester,
Velvet and Jute Miscellaneous Goods include goods/products other than classified
above.
Analysis of Table 1
According to the analysis of the data the export percentage of Nepalese
Handicrafts has reduced by 70.95% in comparison with the past fiscal year. In the past
fiscal year (2059/60) the total Handicraft export amounted to Rs 2364239040 whereas
the current fiscal year (2060/61) shows the export amounting 686834553 only. In the
past fiscal year, total Metal Handicraft was Rs 53233368 only. This shows that export
of Metal Handicrafts had decreased by 9.43%.
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Figure : 1
Export of Metal Craft
Figure : 2
Percentage of Export of Metal Handicraft
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13.8
14
12 11.4
10.82
% of Metal Craft
9.66
10
4 2.87 3.31
0
2056/57 2057/58 2058/59 2059/60 2060/61 2061/62
year
%of Metal Craft in Total export
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Figure: 3
Percentage of Export of Metal Handicraft
16
14 13.8
12
11.4
10.82
10 9.66
8
4
3.31
2.87
2
0
2056/57 2057/58 2058/59 2059/60 2060/61 2061/62
year
% of metal craft
Analysis of Table 2
During the 2061/62 the export of metal craft is increased by 0.58%. In the past
fiscal year Percentage of metal handicrafts was 10.82% whereas this year's export
indicates 11.40.
Table: 3
Country Wise Export of Metal Handicrafts
(in Million)
S.No Importing Value of Metal Total HAN % of metal craft
country Handicraft export export value
1. USA 39.97 332.93 12.00
2. Germany 16.4 156.61 10.47
3. Japan 11.01 145.35 7.57
4. Italy 7.11 122.79 5.79
5. France 11.34 91.31 12.41
6. Canada 5.51 95.36 5.77
7. India 14.98 68.05 22.01
8. Tibet 57.78 36.25 1.59
Source: HAN Newsletter
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Analysis of Table 3
The table shows the Country wise Export of Metal Handicrafts. Percent is based on
Contribution of metal craft to Total export of Handicraft Goods. The importing country
shows the value of Metal Handicraft export.
Figure: 4
Graphical Representation
25
22.01
20
15
12 12.41
10.47
10
7.57
5.79 5.77
5
1.59
0
USA Germany Japan Italy France Canada India Tibet
Figure: 5
Graphical Representation
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
USA Japan France India
Importing Countries
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2. 3 Major Findings
The percentage of metal craft in total export is maximum i.e. 13.80 in
the fiscal year 2056/57 in comparison to following years.
While studying the total export value from fiscal year 2056/57 to
2061/62 is 178828654, 205818909, 226048719, 262708287, 276238090
and 293065733 respectively.
Similarly, from the fiscal year 2060/61 to 2061/62 the export of Metal
Handicrafts had decreased by 13%.
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CHAPTER III
3. Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
3.1 Summary
Handicraft is the major source of earning foreign exchange and is exported to over
50 countries. Nepalese Handicrafts are not only extraordinarily artful but also it
preserves the Nepalese culture and tradition. Because of the Nepalese handicrafts,
tourists visiting Nepal every year thus it increases foreign currencies. Nepalese
Handicrafts attracts the foreigners so; every craftsman as well as artisans should have
the knowledge of handicrafts. Today, the handicrafts product of Nepal is not limited in
name but they have got international market. So, the export of handicraft helps to
develop the country.
Metal craft is one of the most popular items of handicrafts which include different
statues of god and goddesses and other artistic figures, filigrees, metal utensils etc.
Metal craft is a household activity thats why most of the man and woman works at the
house and their business is almost at the home. This industry is based on indigenous
skills and resources. It doesn't need the technical knowledge overall. But, nowadays it
needs technical knowledge. Three cities of Kathmandu valley viz. Patan, Kathmandu
and Bhaktapur are the main centers of the metal craft production. Out of city, Palpa
Bhojpur and Pokhara are also produces the metal craft.
Patan is the city where the manufacturing core of statues cast in metal sculptures,
exports its products to the world outside apart from serving the indigenous market. In
order to save this traditional from of art, the government has opened up Patan Industrial
Estate where metal casting is one of the industries among the other Handicraft
industries.
3.2 Conclusions
Handicraft plays the important role for exporting goods to overseas market. Most of
the artisans are illiterate because they have to work at home at their teenage so their
desire is to develop their skill at making statues with different traditionally style.
Because of illiteracy they don't have the knowledge of modern technology and unable
to expand their production. The artisans are god gifted. They have skill but unable to
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expand their production due to lack of financing problem. In the absence of proper
training facilities efficiency metal sector of Nepal is facing a big problem of quality and
price competition and design modification.
There are few organizations that are trying to promote metal crafts export of Nepal
to overseas countries. HAN, TPC are the major organizations. Among them HAN has
so far tried to promote metal craft export by making different studies on the market
countries. Publications of Handicrafts magazines, trade directory, regular journal and
bulletins, collection of different trade information at HAN for the interested,
conducting workshop, seminars, making arrangements for the participation in
international trade fairs and exhibition are the major promotional activities conducted
by HAN.
If the Nepalese artisans are encouraged to adopt the handicraft production and their
profession then the trend of handicrafts as well as metal crafts will be more developed.
Handicrafts products will be popularize in the world by preserving the Nepalese
cultural heritage. To preserve them Nepalese artisans should be well educated.
If support measures are provided for product design, raw materials, physical
facilities and finance, the metal craft industry and trade will be popularize and can be
the major source of earning foreign exchange and helps in the further development of
country.
3.3 Recommendations
Regular and sufficient availability of raw materials at a reasonable price for the
production of metal crafts is of one of the most important needs. Government should
check their availability of raw materials whether it is at a reasonable price for the
productions of metal craft.
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There is always the duplications and piracy of metal crafts which reduces the export
of original. Nepalese metal crafts so, government should make plans and policies to
stop the export of these policies to stop the export of these duplicated metal craft goods
and protect the traditional metal craft industry and craftsmen.
Craftsmen are not well educated so the businessmen get the more profit than
craftsmen. The skilled, semi-skilled and the unskilled workers engaged in the metal
craft production and distribution should be always encouraged. They should be given
hopes and scopes for up lifting the metal craft industry.
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BIBLOGRAPHY
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