The ITC responded positively when the government appealed to it to help promote the pashmina market to meet the demand for the same in the international market. ITC was established with a view to promoting the trade of the least developing countries (LCDs).[break]
The government has recently put the proposal before the Geneva-based ITC, seeking its supportive role for the promotion of the Nepali trademark Pashmina. According to Toyanarayan Gyawali, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, the ITC has vowed to endorse the proposal immediately.
"The ITC has written positively with the final comment over the proposal and it will be sent to Geneva again once the National Steering Committee coordinated by Chief Secretary of the government endorses it.
Nepal Pashmina Industry Association, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Ministry of Agriculture Development, Commerce and Supplies are the members of the Steering Committee.
Under Secretary Gyawali is hopeful that the project of around two million US dollar will possibly be implemented by the end of this year once the ITC Board meeting approves the government´s proposal.
Various programs will be broadcasted through major international media houses to promote the business of the Nepali pashmina in the global market with the implementation of the project.
Nepal Pasmina Association has appealed to ITC to impart trainings to Nepali pashmina designers and organize promotive programs in USA, Germany, UK and France, the big importers of Nepali pasmina.
Nepal exports pashmina to 81 countries in the world and the mountain goat pashmina has got registered in 41 countries as Nepali trademark, said association´s chairman Pushpaman Shrestha.
According to Trade and Export Promotion Center, Nepal exported pashmina worth of Rs. 1.9 billion to Germany, France, USA and UK in the last fiscal year.
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