A high level task force in Nepal wants to establish a “Carpet Village”, believed to be one of the only ways to revive the country’s flailing carpet/rug industry. Carpet Village is planned to be a centre of production, research and education devoted to carpets/rugs located near or in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), an area that has been designated by the government to cater to industry and commerce.
Rug production was once a thriving industry, with over 900 manufacturers fulfilling international demand. Rugs were one of the top exports of Nepal. However, labour disputes, lack of skilled employees and a high cost of production have seriously affected the industry. Most materials are imported from as far away as New Zealand, the government has been wholly apathetic up to this time, and education in the craft is lacking. Nepalese carpets have been unable to compete with the prices and craftsmanship of those from other countries. As a result, production has steadily decreased and only about 200 manufacturers are left.
The task force hopes that Carpet Village will breathe new life into the rugmaking industry. People will be able to learn everything related to rug production at a carpet training centre, research facilities will be erected to explore the possibilities of developing materials within the country so they won’t have to be imported (the task force also suggested the government subsidize sheep farming so that wool would not have to be imported), and techniques will be improved to advance the craft.
Carpet Village is currently waiting for approval from the government.
Although Nepal may not have the same reputation as before, this is not to say that Nepalese rugs should be disregarded. Absolutely not! The Modern Nepalese rugs we have at our Toronto Rug Gallery have been handknotted by talented rugweavers who are certainly as talented as their peers in other countries. And if you don’t believe it, just drop by our Rug Gallery and see for yourself.