A Rs270 million Saarc Handicraft Design Centre is planned to be built at Tripureshwor in Kathmandu.

 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the centre, the first of its type in South Asia, on Sunday.

 

According to the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (Fhan), the government has allocated a budget of Rs50 million for this fiscal year to construct the Saarc Handicraft Design Centre. The proposed structure will occupy 3 ropanis of land on the premises of the Department of Cottage and Small Industries.

 

Fhan President Dharma Raj Shakya said the design centre would feature an advanced training unit, internationally accredited lab and handicraft emporiums. “The lab will test the quality of metal products, pashmina products, woolen carpets and silver jewellery, among other handicraft items. Similarly, the emporiums will display major handicraft items from Nepal and other Saarc countries,” Shakya said.

 

The design centre will be of five-stories and feature Malla-era architecture. Fhan will contribute Rs27 million or 10 percent of the total cost while the government will put up the rest of the money. After the centre is completed, the Saarc Development Fund will provide $1.7 million for its operation and instrument management, Shakya said.