Lankan craftsmen produce quality silver jewellery

Lankan artisans have been invited to take part in the Handicraft Fair in Kathmandu this month.

"Your artisans' work is of high quality. Especially silver handicrafts," said Executive Member, Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal, Sanam Shakya at a B2B meeting between a visiting 12-member business delegation from the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal and Sri Lankan artisans and company representatives in Colombo recently.

The meeting was facilitated by the Export Development Board (EDB).

The largest ever business delegation to come to Sri Lanka in a decade, it was led by Member of Board of Directors, Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC), Bikash R. Dhakwa.

"We, Nepali craftsmen, need to work with Lankan artisans through art exchange programs, to learn techniques. Perhaps, the secret of your success is the support extended to the craftsmen by the Sri Lankan Government," Bikash R. Dhakwa said.

This is also the first Nepalese delegation focusing on handicrafts, to visit Sri Lanka. It comprised leading Nepali handicraft, gold, silver and other artisan entrepreneurs.

Among the representatives were international jewellery designer Suman Dhakwa of Valhalla Enterprises, Lalitpur and Sanam Shakya, the sole craft supplier to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Among the more than 30 gem, jewellery, craft and design firms of Sri Lanka which took part were Saroja Jewellery and Art Crafts, Sena Gem Trading House, Kent Display Systems, Sri Lanka Handicrafts, Lanka Masks, Gemex, Gem Bank, Blue Duke International and Crest Gems.

The leader of the visiting Nepali delegation, Bikash R. Dhakwa said, "We are glad to meet you directly. We thank the EDB for this initiative.

"We invite Sri Lankan handicraft, silver and gold craftmen to the Nepali Handicraft Trade Fair to be held from November 20-24 at the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall in Kathmandu."

"Most wooden and metal crafts in Sri Lanka are similar to Nepalese products. But the pattern and more importantly the finish of Sri Lankan jewellery and crafts is so good, that we can't see such quality in Nepal. Specially silver products," he said.

The history of Nepali arts and crafts goes back to the fifth century AD. The Indian statesman Kautilya outlined Nepali hand-made crafts in his writings as early as 300 BC.

Jewellery designer Suman Dhakwa said, "We produce industry-standard 92.5% silver items. Our products have gained a reputation for quality and design. Hong Kong is our biggest market followed by Canada and Germany."

In 2013, Sri Lanka's exports to Nepal stood at US $ 5.07 million of which handicraft and jewellery amounted to US $ 0.42 million. The US $180 billion global silver jewellery market is projected to expand, driven by post-recession demand for silver items.