SAWTEE organized a program on Public Private Dialogue on Enhancing Export Competitiveness of Nepali Silver Jewellery in collaboration with GIZ and the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS).

A Public Private Dialogue has been organized to identify and address export-related barriers facing the Nepali silver jewellery sector. The dialogue focused on various barriers prevalent in the sector and recommended a comprehensive action plan to address them.

The dialogue started with the welcome remarks and program highlights by Dr. Hiramani Ghimire, Executive Director, SAWTEE. He mentioned that despite the rising demand in international markets and inclusion of silver jewellery in the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS), it is unfortunate that Nepal’s export of silver jewellery has declined dramatically in recent years.

Dr. Peter Ritcher, Chief Technical Advisor, Trade Promotion Programme, GIZ informed the participants that GIZ has been involved in promoting value chains of selected products identified in the NTIS in coordination with the MoCS. According to him, GIZ has promoted these products at micro- meso- and macro-level ranging from promotion of products to capacity development of the MoCS.

Presenting the findings of the study prepared by SAWTEE, Purushottam Ojha, Former Secretary, MoCS revealed that supply side challenges as well as inadequate policy frameworks are responsible for poor performance of Nepal in export trade. He also highlighted the importance of overcoming non-tariff barriers to promote trade.

Chair of the session, Hari Bhakta Sharma, Senior Vice President, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) mentioned the need to improve the competitiveness of manufacturers of Nepali silver jewellery to promote its exports to India and China. He suggested the possibility of joint-venturing with Indian jewellery manufacturers to utilize their market reach. He also urged the private sector to formulate market strategies to target affluent international markets by capitalizing on uniqueness of Nepali jewelley.

Commenting on the findings of the study, Toya Narayan Gyawali, Joint Secretary, MoCS recommended the private sector should utilize favourable relations with important export markets in promoting our jewellery in those countries. He also stressed the overarching commitment of the government of Nepal to promote the sector.

Representing the private sector, Swayambhu Ratna Tuladhar, Managing Director, Yak and Yeti Enterprises, stressed on the need for improved support from the government in order to promote the sector

About 50 participants representing policy makers, private sector representatives, researchers and media came up with an action plan to improve the sector. The action plan to be submitted to the Nepal Business Forum (NBF) focuses on improving policies to enhance the production and export of Nepali silver jewellery in international markets.