March 30: Although a large part of Nepal's land area is occupied by forests, almost Rs 18 billion is spent every year for the import of wood products including furniture. According to the Ministry of Forestry, more than 45 percent of the total land area of Nepal is covered by forests.

However, according to the data of the Department of Customs, wood and furniture worth Rs 17.82 billion were imported in the last fiscal year (FY 2021/22). In the fiscal year 2020/21, wood and furniture worth Rs 15.18 billion were imported. A total of Rs 65.84 billion has been spent in the last nine years for the import of wood and furniture.

According to experts, the government's wrong policy and the mindset of businessmen to ignore the industry and focus only on business resulted in such a huge amount of money going abroad for the import of wood products.

At a time when the private sector is being accused of focusing only on business, those involved in this sector have taken an initiative to reduce the import of wood and furniture by promoting local products.

Hitesh Golchha, an industrialist active in the promotion of indigenous goods and furniture products, said in a conversation with New Business Age that he is going to expand the ‘fusion’ furniture industry in such a way that it can meet the country's demand to a large extent and also export to foreign countries.

“The plan is to expand the fusion furniture industry. It was necessary to expand the industry to meet the demand by using native wood produced in Nepal," said Golchha. He also made it clear that they are of the view that furniture should be made from wood produced in Nepal and locally available raw materials.

He said that the government should take necessary action for the use of indigenous products.