Nepalese handicrafts, which have been a part and parcel of the Nepalese heritage, depict the great tradition and proud culture of this great Himalayan Kingdom. Their origin dates back to the stone age when human beings were devoid of tools of any kind. Nepalese handicraft products have been best known to the World for its rich art, crafts and oriental architecture. The skill and techniques of making handicraft products, which have been handed down from generation to generation, not only represent the talent and skill of craftsmen but also reflect the social, religious and cultural values found in different parts of the country.
Being a labour intensive product, it is difficult for one to produce it in large quantity with uniformity and with equal quality standard. In Nepal, the production of handicrafts is an age-old occupation. Novel handicrafts are also developed in harmony with changing market taste. In the last 27 years, export of handicrafts of the country has considerably grown. Thus, the development of handicraft, on one hand, helps in preserving the national heritage of the country and on other hand, it contributes to eliminating poverty by creating job opportunities. Nepalese handicrafts industries have been providing employment to hundreds of thousands of people of the country. It has also been a prime source of foreign exchange required for the importation of necessities.
Handicrafts are prevalent in almost all parts of the kingdom of Nepal. However, handicraft-related works have been adopted as a traditional occupation by the Newar community of the Kathmandu valley, particularly by the Bajrachary, Shakya and Chitrakar families.
According to Handicraft Association of Nepal (HAN), Nepalese handicrafts cover 42 groups of products out of which, metal craft (statue and utensil), pashmina products, paubha (thanka), silver and gold jewellery, stone carving, wood craft, bags and accessories, basketry products, filigree products, handmade paper products, handloom products, ceramics, decorative items, leather products, horn and bone products, macramé (knot crafts), religious goods,crazy/fancy hats, ethnic dolls, paintings, giftware, ethnic costumes, hand knitwear, incense, natural buttons made of small tree branch, stone, bone and horn, natural fiber products (apparel and non- apparel products made of hemp and allo), puzzles and toys etc. are the major ones.
The export of Nepalese handicrafts started from the mid 60's of the last century. However, the systematic export started only from early 70's. Handicrafts have long been a major line of Nepalese exports. Currently, it has been the largest overseas export item of the country next to readymade garments and carpets. More than 20 handicraft products mainly the pashmina products, woolen goods, silver jewellery, Nepalese handmade paper and paper products, metal craft, wood craft, cotton goods etc. are being exported to about 85 countries. USA (which alone absorbs around 25% of the total export of handicraft products), Britain, India, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, Australia, Netherlands and China are its major foreign buyers.
List of Nepalese Manufacturers & Exporters of Handicrafts:
1. | Acme Handicrafts Export Pvt.Ltd Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4411307 Fax:+977-1-4413047 E-mail: info@acmehandicrafts.com Website: www.acmehandicrafts.com |
2. | Amrita Craft P. Ltd Makhantole, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O Box: 2313, KTM Tel: +977-1-4240757/4244345 Fax:+977-1-4220045 E-mail: craft@ecomail.com.np Website: www.amrita.com.np |
3. | Aseatic Traders and Exporters Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 4401, KTM Tel: +977-1-4410765/4410595 Fax: +977-1-4412679 E-mail: speedway@mos.com.np Website: www.speedwaycargo.com |
4. | Association for Craft Producers Rabi Bhawan Mode,Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 3071, KTM Tel: +977-1-4275108/4270721 Fax: +977-1-4272676 E-mail: craftacp@mos.com.np Website: www.acp.org.np |
5. | Atlanta Traders and Exporters Thamel,Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 4815, KTM Tel: +977-1-4427877 Fax: +977-1-4427877 E-mail: quickway@wlink.com.np |
6. | B & B Gold and Silver Craft P .Ltd Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 20130, KTM Tel: +977-1-44218573 Fax: +977-1-4358217 E-mail: bandbcraft@hotmail.com |
7. | Bagmati Art and Handicraft Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 11362, KTM Tel: +977-1-4491080/4499554 Fax: +977-1-4493407 E-mail: bagmati@paper.wlink.com.np Website: www.bagmatipaper.com |
8. | Basudevay Industries (P) Ltd Bhanjana VDC-7, Bara, Nepal Tel: ?51-529851 Fax: ?51-529852 E-mail: viplnepal@yahoo.com |
9. | BN Int'l Export & Cargo P. Ltd. Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 13196, KTM Tel: +977-1-4263424 E-mail: bnicargo@wlink.com.np |
10. | Cheppu International Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 5219, KTM Tel: +977-1-4491937/4489593 Fax: +977-1-4489593 E-mail: abuddha_04@yahoo.com, buddha@yahoo.com |
11. | CI. BI. Art Treasure Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 3556, KTM Tel: +977-1-5524469 E-mail: treasure@ntc.net.np Website: www.cibiart.com.np |
12. | Collection & Crafts Nardevi, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 8732, KTM Tel: +977-1-4259171/4262785 Fax: +977-1-4259010 E-mail: cncrafts@mos.com.np |
13. | Cottage Craft Lagankhel, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5536209/5538014 Fax: +977-1-5525125 E-mail: loojah@wlink.com.np Website: www.thesingingbowls.com |
14. | Craft De Mountain Kwalakhu, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 2646, KTM Tel: +977-1-5522264 Fax: +977-1-5526771 E-mail: teera@wlink.com.np |
15. | Das Multipal Export Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 8001, KTM Tel: +977-1-4700095/4700704 Fax: +977-1-4700912 E-mail: dmexport@enet.com.np Website: www.dasexport.com |
16. | Eco Craft Nepal Katunje, Bhaktapur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-6612782 Fax: +977-1-6612782 E-mail: ecocraft@info.com.np |
17. | Espero Craft Enterprises Chakupat, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 10128, KTM Tel: +977-1-5520449 Fax: +977-1-5549858 E-mail: espero@wlink.com.np |
18. | Ethnic Craft Nepal Jorpati-3 Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 979, KTM Tel: +977-1-2297504, 9843290285, 9801019401 Fax: +977-1-5527871 E-mail: info@ecraftnepal.com ecraftnp@gmail.com Website: www.ecraftnepal.com |
19. | Everest Fashion Sundhara, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 8957 EPC 1426 Tel: +977-1-5525187/5541013 Fax: +977-1-5525906 E-mail: evefas@wlink.com.np |
20. | Export House P. Ltd Dallu, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 7709, KTM Tel: +977-1-4278106/4276031 Fax: +977-1-4270080 E-mail: exphouse@mos.com.np Website: www.nepalexphouse.com.org |
21. | Exports of Nepal Kupondole Height, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 979, KTM Tel: +977-1-5523608/5527916 Fax: +977-1-5527871 E-mail: nepaltdl@mos.com.np Website: www.traditionalcrafts.com.np |
22. | Fine Handicrafts Ikhachhen, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 4439, KTM Tel: +977-1-5534588 Fax: +977-1-5526870 E-mail: arsjsr@wlink.com.np |
23. | Folk Nepal Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 7355, KTM Tel: +977-1-4426009 Fax: +977-1-4252602 E-mail: folknepal@info.com.np |
24. | Freight Links Nepal Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 1489, KTM Tel: +977-1-4249146 Fax: +977-1-4249146 E-mail: fln@wlink.com.np |
25. | Gautam Gift Emporium Jhatapole, Golden Temple, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 389, Patan Tel: +977-1-5537776/5539206 Fax: +977-1-5525800 E-mail: gautamgift@wlink.com.np |
26. | General Paper & Paper Products Dhapakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 3718, KTM Tel: +977-1-5543456 Fax: +977-1-4417979 E-mail: gpi@ntc.net.np |
27. | Get Paper Industries P. Ltd Bansbari, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box 3245, KTM Tel: +977-1-4370819/2080276 (UTL) Fax: +977-1-4374234 E-mail: getpi@enet.com.np |
28. | Giftsland Enterprises (P) Ltd Nagbahal, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 1054, KTM Tel: +977-1-5534522 Fax: +977-1-5533389 E-mail: giftland@wlink.com.np |
29. | Gurju's Silver Smith Punya Bahal, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 1817, KTM Tel: +977-1-4269843/4241955 Fax: +977-1-4242129 E-mail: gurju@info.com.np Website: www.gurjuhandicrafts.com |
30. | Handmade Paper Products Kalanki, Naya Naikap VDC W.No.7, Kathmandu, Nepal P. O. Box: 10243, KTM Tel: +977-1-4276137/4276977 Fax: +977-1-4278088 E-mail: handmade@htp.com.np |
31. | Hastakala Utpadak Sangh Ravi Bhawan, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 3701, KTM Tel: +977-1-4270721/4275108 Fax: +977-1-4272676 E-mail: craftacp@mos.com.np Website: www.acp.org.np |
32. | Hatle Udyog P. Ltd Sitapaila, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4274012 Fax: +977-1-4351724 E-mail: nepalipp@wlink.com.np |
33. | Him Handicraft & Loom Company P. Ltd. Bansbari, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 20372, KTM Tel: +977-1-4373202/4373201 Fax: +977-1-4373202 E-mail: himguard@col.com.np |
34. | Himalayan Lotus Craft Nagbahal, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 668, KTM Tel: +977-1-5538597 Fax: +977-1-5538430 E-mail: himal@wlink.com.np |
35. | HLK Enerprises Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4253444/4249444 Fax: +977-1-4224247 E-mail: himlal@mos.com.np |
36. | Jatan Import Export P. Ltd. Battishputali, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 10297, KTM Tel: +977-1-4474799/4498942 Fax: +977-1-4499610 E-mail: shepherd@mos.com.np |
37. | Kailash Exports Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4258090/4258969 Fax: +977-1-4258292 E-mail: export@tekhan.mos.com.np |
38. | Kishor Handicraft Mahabouddha-6, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5525098/5540342 Fax: +977-1-5525098 E-mail: craftkisor@wlink.com.np |
39. | Kunja Artistic Bead Works Kalimati, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 8557, KTM Tel: +977-1-4270747 Fax: +977-1-4274478 E-mail: kabw@mos.com.np , info@nepalbeads.com Website: www.nepalbeads.com |
40. | Loojah Enterprises Gyan Griha, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5536209 Fax: +977-1-5525125 E-mail: loojah@wlink.com.np |
41. | Lotus Paper Crafts Balaju, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 8333, KTM Tel: +977-1-4350812 Fax: +977-1-4351115 E-mail: paper@enet.com.np Website: www.lotus.crafts.com |
42. | Makalu Paper Products Kuleshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 13721, KTM Tel: +977-1-4279664 Fax: +977-1-4272704 E-mail: makalu@wlink.com.np |
43. | Marketing International Teku, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 2754, KTM Tel: +977-1-4261872/4226886 Fax: +977-1-4266607 E-mail: pasamark@wlink.com.np |
44. | Nepalese Handicraft Traders Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 4415, KTM Tel: +977-1-4434012 Mobile: 00977-9841450292 E-mail: nepalesehandicraft@gmail.com Website: www.nepalesehandicraft.com |
45. | MM Metal Crafts Patan Industrial Estate, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5526539/5531352 Fax: +977-1-5531294 E-mail: mt@mohini.wlink.com.np, manjilpage@hotmail.com |
46. | Myagdi Enterprises Inc. Thashikhel, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 8975 EPC 1990 Tel: +977-1-5525410 Fax: +977-1-4220161 E-mail: langhaliagat@hotmail.com |
47. | Nepal Charkha Pracharak Trading Co. P.Ltd Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 13762, KTM Tel:+977-1-5533197/5532981 Fax: +977-1-5521493 E-mail: mguthi@mos.com.np Website: www.mahaguthi.org |
48. | Nepal Grihini Udyog Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 6403, KTM Tel: +977-1-4419925/4421031 Fax: +977-1-4417182 E-mail: grihini@udyog.wlink.com.np |
49. | Nepal Paper Crafts Bagbazar, Kathmandu , Nepal P.O. Box: 3423, KTM Tel: +977-1-4231729 Fax: +977-1-4231614 E-mail: ritaniwas@wlink.com.np Website: www.nepalpapercraft.com |
50. | Nepal Traditional Crafts P.Ltd Kopundole, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 979, KTM Tel: +977-1-5523608/5527916 Fax: +977-1-5527871 E-mail: nepaltdl@mos.com.np Website: www.traditionalcrafts.com.np |
51. | Nepali Paper Products P. Ltd. Swoyambhhu, Ring Road, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 6750, KTM Tel: +977-1-4274012/4281459 Fax: +977-1-4271012/4286128 E-mail: nepalipp@wlink.com.np |
52. | Newa Art & Craft Mangal Bazar, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 7501, KTM Tel: +977-1-5535446/5525342 Fax: +977-1-5526131 E-mail: newa@anboki.enet.com.np |
53. | Om Shiva Export Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4251559 Fax: +977-1-4251632 E-mail: crgshiva@wlink.com.np Website: www.omshivacargo.cjb.net |
54. | Oriental Express Lagankhel, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 1690, KTM Tel: +977-1-5526466 Fax: +977-1-5526466 E-mail: oriental@ntc.net.np Website: www.oriental.com.np |
55. | Palistha Enterprises Kobahal, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 1976, KTM Tel: +977-1-5537448,5538648 Fax: +977-1-5538648 E-mail: palistha@ccsl.com.np Website: www.palistha.com |
56. | Panchashil International P. Ltd. Teku, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 4104, KTM Tel: +977-1-4262647 Fax: +977-1-4262647 E-mail: panchasheel2000@hotmail.com |
57. | Patan Metal & Wood Craft Lagankhel-6, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5522232 Fax: +977-1-5535717 E-mail: pwood@wlink.com.np |
58. | Purna Wood Carving Industries Patan Industrial Estate, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5522232/5535629 Fax: +977-1-5535717 E-mail: pwood@wlink.com.np Website: www.purnawood.com.np |
59. | R. Craft Centre Wotu, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4227463 Fax: +977-1-4782493 E-mail: rcraft@ntc.net.np |
60. | R & R Handicraft Exports Kalimati, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 1557, KTM Tel: +977-1-4282950/4270350 Fax: +977-1-4282950 E-mail: rajju@yahoo.com, inquiry@rhr.handicraft.com.np |
61. | R.P. Impex Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 4480, KTM Tel: +977-1-4416095/4250040 Fax: +977-1-4250086 E-mail: beesants@rpimpex.mos.com.np |
62. | Sana Hastakala Kopundole, Opp. Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 9701, KTM Tel: +977-1-5522628 Fax: +977-1-5526985 E-mail: sanahast@wilink.com.np Website: www.peoplink.org/hastakala |
63. | Shakya Handicrafts Patan Industrial Estate, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5523674 Fax: +977-1-5527795 E-mail: sagar@shcraft.wlink.com.np Website: www.shcraft.cjb.net |
64. | Six Seasons P. Ltd Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 10752, KTM Tel: +977-1-4258999 Fax: +977-1-4258985 E-mail: seasons@yahoo.com Website: www.silvernp.com |
65. | Tilechu Hastakala Udyog Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 6256, KTM Tel: +977-1-4469487 Fax: +977-1-4469322 E-mail: aryal@tilichohandicraft.com.np Website: www.tilichonepal.com |
66. | Wean Multipurpose Cooperative Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5544981 Fax: +977-1-5544981 E-mail: weancop@wlink.com.np Website: www.weancop.org |
67. | Yak & Yeti Enterprises Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal P.O. Box: 3548, KTM Tel: +977-1-4413552/4413760 Fax: +977-1-4410992/4416124 E-mail: yysilver@mos.com.np, yye@mos.com.np Website: www.yysilver.com |
68. | Yeti Woodcraft Industry Dhalacha, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 844, KTM Tel: +977-1-5525918/5544031 E-mail: yeti@ntc.net.np Website: www.yeticraft.go.to |
69. | Zee Arts Chikanmugal, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4252669 Fax: +977-1-4253675 E-mail: zeearts@mail.com.np |
70. | Zenith Crafts Chakupat, Lalitpur, Nepal P.O. Box: 282, KTM Tel: +977-1-5521477 Fax: +977-1-5523997 E-mail: amizenit@mos.com.np |