factsheet changes.indd

Enhancing Sustainability and Profitability of the Carpet and
Pashmina Industries in the Kathmandu Valley
Duration : January 15, 2014 – July 14, 2017
Donor : European Commission
Region : Central (Kathmandu, Lalitpur & Bhaktapur Districts)
Beneficiaries
: Carpet and Pashmina Industries
Implementing Partner : Society for Environmental and Economic
Development - Nepal (SEED - Nepal)
M
ercy Corps Nepal is implementing a European Commission funded SWITCH project working with the carpet
and pashmina industries in the Kathmandu Valley to further enhance sustainable production and profitability
in two of Nepal’s highest export earning industries – the carpet and pashmina industries. The project will contribute
to increasing resource efficiency, profitability, and sustainable growth in Nepal by mobilizing the private sector and
relevant public sector authorities to reduce fuel and water use, and water and air-borne pollution.
The Challenges
C
arpet and Pashmina production are Nepal’s second
and third largest sources of export earnings
and provide one of the highest number of industrial
employment. However, most of these industries are
constrained by outdated production methods that lead
to reduced competitiveness and adverse environmental
impacts.
Carpet collection
These sectors consist of fragmented networks of Small
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that rely on inefficient
and environmentally damaging production practices.
This has limited the ability of both the industries to
respond to increased regional competition and demand
for environmentally friendly products for export markets.
Pashmina collection
The Approach
T
o address the challenge, Mercy Corps Nepal is
working to improve the efficiency and reduce
pollution from small and medium-sized dyeing and
washing enterprises that serve the carpet and pashmina
industries. By supporting the adoption of energy and
water efficient technologies and processes, the action
aims to decrease production costs for the most resource
intensive section of the production chain, promoting
growth and increasing competitiveness of the carpet
and pashmina industries in the export market. At the
same time, the action will decrease reliance on natural
resources by decreasing energy and water usage, and
reducing chemical pollutants. This will help reduce
pressure from the unsustainable use of natural resources
and reduce air and water pollution. In addition, the action
will reduce CO2 emissions and improve the working
conditions for employees of washing and dyeing SMEs.
The action will strengthen existing actors, such as the
industry associations, so that they can provide resources
and expertise on cleaner production to their members,
along with clean production service providers and
relevant government entities that will help create the
right enabling environment to facilitate the switch to
cleaner, more efficient and sustainable production.
Flue gas emission from a dyeing industry
A disorganised dyeing unit
Partner and Associates
S
ociety for Environmental and Economic
Development - Nepal (SEED - Nepal), a national
NGO, is the implementing partner for the action
that assists industries and authorities in managing
environmental problems through skills enhancing
trainings, awareness campaigns and technology
transfer. The action will work closely with a number
of associate partners including the Central Carpet
Industries Association (CCIA), Nepal Wool Dyeing
Industries Association (NWDIA) and Nepal
Pashmina Industries Association (NPIA) with the
aim of enhancing their knowledge on appropriate
technologies and cleaner production techniques by
leveraging their networks and outreach capacity to
involve their members. Working collaboratively with
each association will enable increased effectiveness
of outreach and messaging. The action will also
work with local financial institutions to develop
appropriate financial products & mechanisms to
improve access to finance for the SMEs.
For more information:
Implementing Partner:
Sanjay Karki
Amar B. Manandhar
Country Director
Executive Director
[email protected]
Society for Environmental and Economic Development - Nepal
Mercy Corps Nepal
(SEED - Nepal)
P. O. Box 24374
P. O. Box 8793 NPC 410
Sanepa Chowk, Lalitpur, Nepal
39 Siddhartha Margh, Anamnagar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tel: +977-1-5555.532
Tel: +977-1-4228555
Fax: +977-1-5554.370
Fax: +977-1-4239338
E-mail: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
http://nepal.mercycorps.org
www.seednepal.org
Surendra Chaudhary
Programme Manager
[email protected]
12-2014