Business Getting Difficult

Dear customers, partners and friends,
The World is facing difficult time in the history. Raise of massive unemployment, Global recession, political instability in regions followed by terrorist attacks, all making every one's life in difficult and danger. We in Nepal are not unaffected by the situation.

Mahaguthi experiencing toughest challenge of this time. Even we are small and don't make much difference in global trading, the recession has made the difference in out business. Dropping of sales from trading partners and intensive pressure on price makes business difficult.

At home, the situation is even worse! More than eight hours of power cut hindering daily operation. Many business are operating in 40% capacity due to the power crisis. Our daily communication with our trading partners have been affected, being not able to respond on time due to lack of electricity during working hours, morning, day and night; 8 hours!!

The producers are delaying their delivery commitments as they virtually are helpless. Due to political, economic and social insecurity skilled people are migrating abroad looking for better opportunity. Many producer groups are finding difficulties to find the skill hands. It also affecting their as well as our business.

In this difficult situation, we request our trading partners, customers and welshers to support us in any way you can. Your understanding of situation and wishes will undoubtedly boost our moral.

Thank you very much for your patience and please pray for us!

Mahaguthi's New Sales Outlet

Mahaguthi Craft With A Conscience launched its new Sales Outlet at Lazimpat on 28th Nov. 2008. President of Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi Smarak Mahaguthi, Ms. Bhadra Kumari Ghale inaugurated the new shop and launching of New Collection in home textile, ceramics, paper and Christmas decoration. The visitors appreciated the new product collection as well as location of the shop. It is expected to attract more customers with its fresh and new look.

World Fair Trade Day Celebration

Mahaguthi celebrated World Fair Trade Day with various programs. It organized quality improvement workshops for its in-house producers for a week starting from "Dust Off" programme, where all the producers participated in cleaning work place.

It was followed by a training from external consultant on what is quality? who is responsible for quality improvement and how we can improve the quality.

Ms. Inge Op Ten Berg from FTO Netherlands facilitated quality exercise. She explained quality from buyers perspective and reinforced the need of quality improvement at every level.

The program was concluded with group commitment for the quality and formation of groups for quality improvement.

On the occasion of World Fair Trade Day 2008, "Open House" was organized featuring new "Banzai" collection in home textile, paper and ceramics. Ms. Bhadra Kurari Ghale, President of Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi-Tulshi Smarak Mahaguthi inaugurated the event. Visitors appriciated new designs.

Likewise, to celebrate the WFTD, a musical concert was organized. The fair trade song made by AFTF was composed and played. During the program President, Ms. Rita Thapa falicitated Best Producers with Father Watrin Best Producer Award and cash prizes.

"Wall Painting" on Environment was performed by children of Producers and Staffs at Production premises. The kids were given orientation about environment and asked them to paint whatever they like. The children age between 4 to 11 participated in the programme.

Annual Picnic

Dr. Uttam Kuwar facilitating the workshop

Orientation program concluded

This year Mahaguthi Craft With A Conscience has prioritized improving work environment, health and safety. An orientation program on “Improving Working Environment and Occupational Health & Safety” was organized in association with Institute of Environment Management (IMP) Program and Mahaguthi to encourage producers to apply improvement in their respective workshops. The experts had made pre-assessment of six producers groups to observe present situation of health, safety and environment. Based on the observation the expert facilitated on how the working condition be improved to enhance occupational health and safety.
Twelve producers participated in the workshop. They were impart knowledge on Occupational safety by using protective gears and changing work practices. Cleaner production and environment preservation were also discussed.
Further follow up programs have been developed to provide workable solutions for producers to improve working condition. The expert will provide on-site counseling to the producers.

Fair Trade in Europe

Mahaguthi is participating in European Fair Trade Fair in Lyon, France from Feb 1-3, 2008. It will show case newly developed collection in handmade paper, ceramics, clothing and accessories. This is an opportunity to meet many European Trading partners at once.

We invite all European Partners to visit Fair Trade Fair in Lyon and get acquaintance with new products and information. It is also an opportunity to meet our Marketing Manager Ms. Sonali and Designer Ms. Sumitra to discuss on mutual issues.

We see you there on Feb 1-3, 2008 @ Lyon, France

If you have any further inquiry please feel free to reach us mguthi@mos.com.np or contact Ms. Sonali

Quality upgradation training and technical support

Likhu Khimti Paper Producer group was provided techinical training in improving paper quality, dyeing, production technology and other aspects of improving performance in terms of quality and quantity.

Mr. Nakul Subedi, the paper producer provided technical inputs in fire place, pulp making, framing, dyeing and other aspect of paper making. The improved stove have saved 70% of fuel cost and reducing the use of firewood replaced by wood dust.

The producers were given orientation on quality and production management by Ms. Uttara from Mahaguthi. ED also visited the group and participated in interaction with the producers.