Kathmandu, March 11:

Nepali handicraft sector is hit hard by the growing energy crisis and lack of market management. During a programme on energy conservation here today, experts urged for proper energy and market management.

Speaking during the programme organised by the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), Minister for Industries Asta Laxmi Shakya urged the handicraft sector do research on alternative sources of energy that could be used in handicraft production and asked it to focus on the market management system.

“There is a special policy for small and cottage industries in the Industrial Policy draft which is on its way to get approval,” said Shakya adding that people engaged in handicraft business should now focus on direct marketing strategy in the domestic market.

“Like Lokta paper, handicrafts can also carve out their own niche by direct marketing strategy,” said Shakya.

If direct marketing works, Nepali handicrafts won’t have to depend only on export and this sector will remain free from the effects of recession, Shakya added.

According to Shakya, the handicraft sector is still functioning in a traditional way, with but now with the growing energy crisis the need for alternative energy had arisen. There should be research work for the introduction of new technology in this sector. “The energy crisis is affecting all sectors. Its management is necessary. The demand for metal idols and ceramic products is also high among export items but due to the energy crisis their production has decreased,” said Kamal Manandhar, chief of the Industrial Energy Management Project.

Officiating secretary at the Ministry of Industry Niranjan Baral said there was a need for awareness about conservation of energy and added that given due priority the handicraft sector had the potential to boost the economy of the country.