Nepal's Garment Sector Partners with Woolmark to Boost High-Value Exports

Kathmandu. A partnership has begun between the Nepal Ready-made Garment Association and the renowned international organization 'Woolmark' to make Nepal's ready-made garment sector competitive in the international market and increase the export of high-value goods. At a special program in the capital titled 'Opportunity with Merino Wool for Nepal,' Association Chairman Pashupatidev Pandey expressed confidence that this collaboration with Australia's Woolmark will add a new milestone to the Nepali economy and export sector.

Specifically, Nepal plans to expand its export capacity by producing garments made from Merino wool, which is considered high-quality and expensive in the global market. Intensive discussions and studies in various phases were conducted in India and Nepal over the past six months for this project.

Chairman Pandey stated that the collaboration with Woolmark is strategically very important in the current context as Nepal is in the process of graduating from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Although the overall size of Nepal's exports is small compared to other countries, Merino wool products will be highly suitable for the 'niche market' where demand exists for specific and high-quality materials. This is expected to contribute significantly to bringing foreign currency into the state treasury.

Currently, ready-made garments worth over NPR 10 billion are exported annually from Nepal, making it the second largest export item after carpets. Pointing towards the incoming new government and the young Prime Minister, Chairman Pandey expressed the expectation that the government will understand the problems of the private sector and prioritize trade and business.

He opined that Woolmark's technical support will provide great relief to Nepali industrialists in the mandatory situation of facing trade challenges and moving towards the 'Double Transformation' provision after graduation. The association's member company 'Tricot' has already started working on this.

The goal for the future is for this partnership to move beyond just importing fabrics to the direction of producing raw materials within Nepal itself. Although work has begun by importing fabric for now, discussions have also taken place regarding the possibility of raising sheep in the hilly regions of Nepal to produce natural fibers in collaboration with Woolmark in the coming days.