Kathmandu, October 13

The government today launched the National Sector Export Strategies of four products — cardamom, handmade paper, tea and coffee — with an aim to improve the value chain of these products from production to the export market.

Developed by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and International Trade Centre (ITC), these strategies are a part of Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) and aims to help boost the export capacities of the country, especially of the aforementioned products, ensure more value addition to these exports and facilitate greater trade in regional and global markets.

Launching the National Sector Export Strategies of these four products, Minister for Commerce Meen Bahadur Bishwakarma said that effective promotion of cardamom, handmade paper, tea and coffee will help the country to reduce its trade deficit.

“The National Sector Export Strategies addresses the sector’s competitiveness and constraints while identifying market opportunities. It also provides guidance in areas of production, processing, marketing and quality improvement, which will contribute to reducing poverty, generating employment, safeguarding sustainability of local resources, and thus, contributing to national economy at large,” said Bishwakarma.

Under the National Sector Export Strategies, the government aims to raise production and promote Nepali specialty coffee in the international markets to boost export revenues and improve livelihoods. Similarly, the government also plans to develop the quality of Himalayan Nepali tea and diversify trade to support sustainable, eco-friendly and socio-economically inclusive development.

Likewise, the government also aims to promote Nepali black and pink Everest cardamom production and improve their qualities to increase export revenues and support sustainable economical development.

The government also aims to improve quality and sustainability in Lokta handmade paper and paper products to deepen socio-economic gains through more competitive exports.

As per MoC, Nepal’s annual production of large cardamom is 6,500 tonnes. However, Nepal has been exporting cardamom to India without much value addition. Similarly, the country produces 434 tonnes of coffee every year and South Korea, Japan, China and Germany are the major export destinations for Nepali coffee. While Nepal’s annual export of tea is around $6 million, handmade paper from Nepal is being exported to more than 15 countries and has potential of value addition and could be exported to other markets as well.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Arancha González, executive director of ITC, said that Nepal should give high emphasis to the production, quality, packaging and branding of its products to boost exports.

Similarly, Swarnim Wagle, chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC), said that Nepal can secure a place in the global economy by enhancing production of goods and their qualities.