April 12: The war in Europe has had its impact on the handicraft industry here in Nepal. President of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal, Prachanda Shakya said that handicraft exports to Europe have decreased by 20 percent.     
According to him, goods like hand-made paper, pashmina, felt and other items are exported in large volumes to Europe.

Handicraft items worth Rs 6 billion were exported to Europe last year. Shakya shared that the exports have gone down by 20 per cent this year.    
"The war in Europe has affected the handicraft trade of Nepal. However, handicraft exports to other countries remain moderate," Shakya said.    
As per the federation's data, handicraft and sculpture items worth approximately Rs 12 billion are exported from Nepal. Handicraft exports in the two months – Mangsir and Poush – alone stood at Rs 8 billion. -- RSS