Nepal’s ready-made garment exporters have started thinking that “market and product diversification” may revive the country's already ailing export sector, Garment Association of Nepal (GAN) said here yesterday.

After the expiration of multi-fibre agreement (MFA), Nepal's readymade garment exports declined sharply in 2005, a statement issued by GAN said.

The export of ready-made garments to the US has been incessantly declining ever since the MFA was scrapped in January 2005. More than 60 per cent of the garment manufacturing units have been closed down, leading to the layoffs of over 50,000 workers, according to GAN.

The trade balance and economic growth have become weak in 2006 as per various agency's predictions.

In connection with diversifying export market of ready-made garments, a group of exporters including members of GAN left Wednesday for Paris to participate at the Pret A Porter Paris, an internationally recognized ready-made garments fashion's trade fair.

According to the statement, at a time when United States' market is discouraging Nepali ready-made garments, exporters are concentrating their export base to European countries to revive the export sector.

GAN members are hopeful that market promotion in Europe and other countries besides US might fetch results.

“One of the major objectives to participate at the fair is to lure European buyers to purchase Nepali ready-made garments,” GAN said in the statement.

A total of 1,600 products such as jumpers, trousers, coats, shirts, and T-shirt from all over the world are being displayed at the Paris fair including Nepali garment products.