Felt association felicitates Thapa in its 17th anniversary

Nepal Wool Felt Producers’ and Exporters’ Association recently celebrated its 17th anniversary in Kathmandu.

On the occasion, the association felicitated its founder Sagar Thapa in recognition of his work. 

Thapa identified the need for a coalition of felt producers and traders for the betterment of the industry, and took the initiative to set up the association, which was founded in 2007.

“This association, which has been helping, not only the felt entrepreneurs, but the workers, in their business, is a brain child of Thapa,” said Sarada Rijal, founding president of the association. 

Thapa is considered a pioneer in felt production and export, who inspired many people to join the association by training them. He also helped many traders to participate in exhibitions in Europe.

Despite his contribution to the Nepali felt industry, Rijal said Thapa never insisted on taking any position in the association.

Nepali felt products are exported in over 20 countries and the association regularly participates in trade fairs held in around 15 countries. Nepal exports felt products worth Rs 11bn annually.

Amrit Khadka, former president of the association, said: “Felt is among rare products which get exported from Nepal. But the government has imposed a five percent tax and 13 percent VAT in felt products which should be reviewed.”

Felt industry provides employment to over 20,000 people and over 90 percent of them are women which is helping to maintain good living standards. 

Naresh Lal Shrestha, president of the association and owner of Bagmati Handicrafts, praised the family-like relations in the association.

“We treat the people involved here as family members. That is why there hasn’t been any election in the association in these 17 long years. I can proudly say that no other association has unity like us,” he added.

Biswas Shrestha, owner of Hopp Creation Industries Pvt. Ltd., said felt products are among the few items being exported from Nepal. “To further increase the export, we need to have raw materials produced in Nepal,” he added.

Shrestha’s industry employs around 400 women, who make different kinds of felt products out of wool imported from New Zealand. The finished products are exported back to New Zealand.

“If we can have a massive sheep farm here, we can keep 100 percent of the foreign currency income in Nepal,” said Shrestha.
The association’s president and the owner of Bagmati Handicrafts, Naresh Lal Shrestha, said though Nepali felt industry add 50–60 percent value addition to the business, they can do better with the government help. “This industry has the capacity to cater to all the Nepalis who want to return home from foreign employment,” he added.

Thapa’s brainchild

Sagar Thapa, general secretary of Nepal-Israel Chamber of Commerce started the business of felt handicrafts in 2001 and is still continuing to contribute to the industry. He promotes Nepali felt products globally through Panchakanya Nepal Enterprises where he has kept his workers as his business partners.

In these 23 years in the industry, he has provided services to over 2,000 SME entrepreneurs through international tarde fair participations. The services not only include business and trade but also training and knowledge sharing classes. “I also help newcomers to seek the market,” said Thapa. Till 2024, he hopes to produce 500 skilled youths in the exportable business.

“I wanted to form an association of felt producers as it would help the businesspersons to convey their voice boldly and help laborers advocate for their rights,” he says that he is inspired by a concept of many in bodies, one in mind.

Thapa has also contributed to various social and charitable works including the Bagmati Cleaning Campaign. “It gives me 100 times more happiness when I get to work and help others from the background,” he said. “I’ll continue my constructive and positive work.”

Thapa added if the government provides a better environment and infrastructure, in 10 years, Nepal’s Rs 11bn felt export industry can become a Rs 80bn industry.

“I am happy that even after 17 years, the association has not forgotten my work,” said Thapa. “The association’s founding Vice-president Rajan Karmacharya has also equally contributed to this initiative.”