KATHMANDU: A team of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) — the umbrella organisation of private sector — left for Thailand today to participate in the 'One village, one production' programme.

"The tour will be beneficial for Nepal in developing the concept of one-village, one-product (OVOP) and that in turn will boost the economy of the country," said FNCCI president Kush Kumar Joshi while giving a farewell to the OVOP study visit team led by FNCCI vice-president Bhaskarraj Raj Karnikar.

Joshi added that the main aim of the tour is to utilize the knowledge from the programme and implement it in Nepal in order to make this programme flourish in other districts of the country as well.

He also suggested the team prepare the documents mentioning the knowledge obtained during the programme. Rajkarnikar said that the interaction programmme to be held at Thailand will be in favour for developing productivity and marketing strategies in the country.

Thailand has been importing OVOP goods worth $150 million every year. The programme was implemented in Nepal in the year 2063-64 BS. During the first phase of the programme, junar (hybrid of orange and lemon) in Ramechhap and Sindhuli, lapsi (sour plum) in Bhaktapur, bael (wood apple) in Siraha, rainbow trout in Nuwakot were developed as the major products of these particular districts.

"The main objective of the programme is the ulimate utilization of skills of locals in order to compete in the international market," said Joshi.

"This will not only develop the brand of the product but also enhance the earnings of the people," Rajkarnikar said adding that it will be a big step towards alleviating poverty. The team will also participate in the interaction programme with NRNs on August 14.