Kathmandu, Feb 22: Nepal is steadily progressing towards self-sufficiency in ceramic tile production, with local industries not only fulfilling domestic demand but also expanding into international markets.
During the 10th Nepal Buildcon International Exhibition at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, industry leaders highlighted Nepal’s growing tile sector. According to Ashish Gad, director of Prime Ceramics Pvt. Ltd., Nepal now has six tile manufacturing companies, significantly reducing reliance on imports. Until last year, Nepal imported tiles worth Rs 14 billion from India, but domestic production now meets 80% of the demand, leading to a 20-30% price reduction.
He stated, “We are moving towards self-sufficiency in tile production. Since production is local, costs have dropped by 20-25%, benefiting consumers by lowering housing construction expenses.”
Ashutosh Khetan, director of Lumbini Ceramics, emphasized Nepal’s potential to enter the global market. With international-quality tile production, the company is planning exports to India, China, the U.S., and European countries.
He stated, “Currently, imported Indian tiles are 20-25% cheaper than before due to local production. Now, we are not just reducing imports but preparing to export. Our high-quality, exotic surface tiles are produced by very few factories in India. We are now aiming for markets in India, China, Europe, and the U.S., as our quality meets international standards.”
Jayash Jain, director of Nimato, announced that his company is the first in Nepal to export tiles to India. Producing 18,000 square feet of tiles daily, Nimato is now the country’s largest tile manufacturer. Due to domestic production, consumers can purchase tiles at lower prices.
He remarked, “We produce polished, glazed, vitrified tiles—the first vitrified tile plant in Nepal. With a daily production of 18,000 square feet, we are Nepal’s largest tile manufacturing plant. We were the first company to export tiles from Nepal to India, and now we are expanding further.”
Shambhunath Jha, director of Nepal Ceramics, mentioned plans to expand production facilities to meet export demands. He explained that his company initially conducted extensive research in India and China before establishing Nepal’s first tile manufacturing plant. Despite plans for exports, current production is just sufficient for domestic demand.
He explained, “We started tile production three years ago after five years of research in China and India. COVID-19 delayed our progress, but since then, we’ve been operating continuously. With growing demand, we now plan to expand with a new plant to increase production and begin exports. Nepal’s tile market is worth approximately Rs 20 billion, and five to six companies can operate successfully here.”
Until a few years ago, Nepal was entirely dependent on tile imports, primarily from India. However, the establishment of local industries has not only created job opportunities but also helped reduce foreign currency outflow. Entrepreneurs believe that by further strengthening the tile industry and expanding exports, Nepal can generate significant foreign exchange earnings. #tiles #nepal #NAN
