KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has announced plans to support the promotion and marketing of local and traditional products. The initiative aims to ensure the availability of fresh vegetables, grains, and fruits while strengthening the market for locally produced goods.
Khyamraj Tiwari, coordinator of the Good Governance Committee and chairperson of Ward No. 26, said KMC is actively working to promote and market local and traditional products so that consumers can better recognize and access them. “Product identification is the most important aspect of marketing and promotion,” Tiwari said, adding that the metropolis plans to expand the marketing of such products to other wards as well.
KMC has been strengthening its ‘One Ward, One Model Program’ to identify and promote local products. Under the program, skill development training has been completed this year in eight wards—11, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27, 28, and 31—where various locally made products are now being produced.
Out of KMC’s 32 wards, the ‘One Ward, One Enterprise Program’ was launched in 15 wards last year. With eight more wards added this year, the program is now being implemented in 23 wards. KMC is preparing to extend the program to the remaining wards in the near future.
According to KMC, effective marketing requires both sufficient production and quality goods. “It is essential to be able to produce enough quality products before entering the market,” the metropolis stated.
The wards involved this year, 11, 15, 18, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, and 31, are engaged in producing a range of items, including woolen goods, Hakupatasi fabrics, Marichari sweets, Newari costumes, thread flowers, Surke bags and ribbons, Dhaka garments, clay masks (Makhundo), baby sets and gowns, food items such as Yamari and frozen products, and leather shoes.
To support sales, a ward-level ‘Koseli Ghar’ (gift shop) has been established in each participating ward to market the locally produced goods.
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