Dear Dr Hightower,
Greetings from ACP, Nepal!
We, The Association for Craft Producers (ACP), Nepal's premier non-profit fair-trade organization was established in 1984 with the aim of providing design, marketing, management and technical services to low income craft producers, primarily women to generate their family income and raise their overall standard of living.
The action was initiated with 38 producers and five full time staff in a rented building with 4000 sq. ft area with in three skill categories with active donors’ support. Today, ACP is providing services to 1200 artisans (women constituting 90%) from 15 districts of Nepal in 17 skill categories e.g: weaving, knitting, sewing, felting, printing, carpentry, copperware, ceramics etc. We have 60 full time staff members and a permanent facility of 43,000-sq. ft. area. ACP became self-sustained within three years of establishment and today has achieved an annual turnover of US $1,000,000 with 35% domestic market share. ACP exports to more than 18 countries. ACP has gained a competitive position in the handicraft market of the country. It operates a 4 storied retail outlet called ‘Dhukuti’ in Kathmandu. Exports are handled through sister company, Nepali Craft Trading (P) Ltd.
Though we had donors' support initially we have been self sustained since past 22 years with the support of our buyers. However we need to boost up sales to keep up with the commitment with our producers. 60% of our sales is through export. Our products are exported to the countries in the West. At present we have 80 buyers in 18 countries mainly USA, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, Spain, Belgium etc. We are socially, culturally very much divergent from the western world. Thus it is difficult for us to understand the need of western market. Our taste and preference is very much different from the market where we sell our products. Information regarding these markets is the key to successful marketing. As our export business increases, we are continually disadvantaged by a lack of access to western markets and design sensitivities. Market, trend information and product development are vital to upgrading our products to be more in line with current global trends. In additional, expanding Nepali handicrafts beyond the traditional ethnic designs widens the potential market and increases sales, which in turn provides employment and benefit more women at grassroot.
Through our 27 years of operation we have had opportunity of working with numerous volunteers-both short term and long term. In the past years we have felt the strong need to have our own in-house designer. Unfortunately this is not easy. Firstly we do not have design institute in Nepal. Most of the designers are trained abroad and their expectation is beyond our means. Secondly, we work in several skill categories and it is improbable to locate one person who has designing capacity in all skill areas. Unhindered by this constraint we have moved ahead focusing on developing the team of people who have hands on experience on product development. They have been working with different volunteers and designers assigned by various buyers and have developed fair sense of design concepts.
Furthermore, we seek designers to come and provide their expertise in product development and enhancing the capacity of our design team. We had the opportunity to meet you as well as attend your workshop during your last visit. We believe that we can benefit a lot from your extensive knowledge and expertise. Apart from strengthening our design team by your guidance and training, your expertise will be invaluable in developing products as per market trend which will ultimately generate more market for the products of our artisans and promote their livelihood. Thus, we would very much like to have you here with us and have the opportunity to work with you.
We look forward to your positive response.
Sincerely
Meera Bhattarai
Executive Director
Association for Craft Producers/ Nepali Craft Trading P. Ltd.
POB-3701, Kathmandu, NEPAL
Tel: +977-1-4275108, 4270721 Fax: +977-1-4272676
e-mail: program@craftacp.org.np
www.acp.org.np
Greetings from ACP, Nepal!
We, The Association for Craft Producers (ACP), Nepal's premier non-profit fair-trade organization was established in 1984 with the aim of providing design, marketing, management and technical services to low income craft producers, primarily women to generate their family income and raise their overall standard of living.
The action was initiated with 38 producers and five full time staff in a rented building with 4000 sq. ft area with in three skill categories with active donors’ support. Today, ACP is providing services to 1200 artisans (women constituting 90%) from 15 districts of Nepal in 17 skill categories e.g: weaving, knitting, sewing, felting, printing, carpentry, copperware, ceramics etc. We have 60 full time staff members and a permanent facility of 43,000-sq. ft. area. ACP became self-sustained within three years of establishment and today has achieved an annual turnover of US $1,000,000 with 35% domestic market share. ACP exports to more than 18 countries. ACP has gained a competitive position in the handicraft market of the country. It operates a 4 storied retail outlet called ‘Dhukuti’ in Kathmandu. Exports are handled through sister company, Nepali Craft Trading (P) Ltd.
Though we had donors' support initially we have been self sustained since past 22 years with the support of our buyers. However we need to boost up sales to keep up with the commitment with our producers. 60% of our sales is through export. Our products are exported to the countries in the West. At present we have 80 buyers in 18 countries mainly USA, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, Spain, Belgium etc. We are socially, culturally very much divergent from the western world. Thus it is difficult for us to understand the need of western market. Our taste and preference is very much different from the market where we sell our products. Information regarding these markets is the key to successful marketing. As our export business increases, we are continually disadvantaged by a lack of access to western markets and design sensitivities. Market, trend information and product development are vital to upgrading our products to be more in line with current global trends. In additional, expanding Nepali handicrafts beyond the traditional ethnic designs widens the potential market and increases sales, which in turn provides employment and benefit more women at grassroot.
Through our 27 years of operation we have had opportunity of working with numerous volunteers-both short term and long term. In the past years we have felt the strong need to have our own in-house designer. Unfortunately this is not easy. Firstly we do not have design institute in Nepal. Most of the designers are trained abroad and their expectation is beyond our means. Secondly, we work in several skill categories and it is improbable to locate one person who has designing capacity in all skill areas. Unhindered by this constraint we have moved ahead focusing on developing the team of people who have hands on experience on product development. They have been working with different volunteers and designers assigned by various buyers and have developed fair sense of design concepts.
Furthermore, we seek designers to come and provide their expertise in product development and enhancing the capacity of our design team. We had the opportunity to meet you as well as attend your workshop during your last visit. We believe that we can benefit a lot from your extensive knowledge and expertise. Apart from strengthening our design team by your guidance and training, your expertise will be invaluable in developing products as per market trend which will ultimately generate more market for the products of our artisans and promote their livelihood. Thus, we would very much like to have you here with us and have the opportunity to work with you.
We look forward to your positive response.
Sincerely
Meera Bhattarai
Executive Director
Association for Craft Producers/ Nepali Craft Trading P. Ltd.
POB-3701, Kathmandu, NEPAL
Tel: +977-1-4275108, 4270721 Fax: +977-1-4272676
e-mail: program@craftacp.org.np
www.acp.org.np
