Kolkata-based ethnic brand Manyavar is planning to expand into Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Middle East after gaining a foothold in Dubai and Bangladesh in the last quarter of 2011.

“We have set up exclusive Manyavar stores — one each in Bangladesh and Dubai. We now plan to go to Nepal and Sri Lanka and are also looking at setting up a couple of more stores in Bangladesh,” said Mohit Tikmany, CEO of Vedant Fashions, the parent company of Manyavar.

Tikmany said that Manyavar outlets in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Kuwait will open soon.

Founded by Ravi Modi, Manyavar designs, manufactures and retails ethnic wear, party wear and accessories. It also offers made-to-order wears with customised tailoring services. Its production facility in Kolkata produces one million units of apparel annually.

Alongside with new openings overseas, it will also introduce new ethnic wear brand for women.

“We have already got the (women’s wear) brand name and logo registered. We plan to roll it out soon. Initially, the products would be sold through some of the existing outlets,” said Tikmany.

In India, it plans to open about 500 stores by 2014-2015 in tier II towns, adding to the present 160 standalone stores in the country.

GB