With the registration of new trade market for Nepali Chyangra pashmina by the government, Nepal Pashmina Industries Association (NPIA) has scaled up marketing of the new trademark in existing and potential international market. [break]
“We are reaching out to importers of Nepali Chyangra pashmina though fresh promotional campaigns. We are also initiating the process of issuing trademark right to the exporters who fulfill stipulated standards for exportable pashmina,” said Mandu Babu Adhikari, chief program officer of NPIA.
The government granted approval of trade mark -- a signature brand-- of Nepali Chayngra pashmina recently to pave the way for full-fledged promotional campaign for the third largest exportable handicraft of the country.
“We are going to concentrate our efforts on publicizing Nepali Chyangra pashmina trademark in the overseas markets, especially Europe and the US, and impart orientation to our members about the process of issuing trademark to them from NPIA before they export pashmina,” said Adhikari. Those fulfilling the specified standard will be granted the trademark rights for export through NPIA.
After more than two years of efforts from the pashmina entrepreneurs, the government has paved the way to launch vigorous marketing for Nepali Chyangra pashmina in the international market.
“We are fully encouraged after getting the government seal which was proposed by Nepali pashmina entrepreneurs and we are hopeful that Nepali Chyangra pashmina would regain its international market in coming days,” said Adhikari. NPIA is conducting an orientation for producers and exporters about the exportable quality of pashmina and the process as well as criteria of issuing trademark.
NPIA had registered an application at the Department of Industry (DoI) with the proposed logo of Nepali Chyangra pashmina on May 2, 2008 seeking government endorsement. It took more than two years to get the approval in the absence of Collective Registration Guidelines which allows registration of trade mark or brand of products on behalf of members of certain association jointly.
Despite the delay, Nepali Chyangra pashmina trademark has been registered in 38 countries including the US, Canada and European countries with the joint efforts of the government and entrepreneurs.
The process of registering trade mark of Nepali pashmina is going on in Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, China, India and Thailand.
Pashmina entrepreneurs said Europe and US cover around 60 percent and 30 percent of total market of Nepali Chyangra pashmina. During the fiscal year 2008/09, total Rs 1.52 billion worth of pashmina was exported overseas. China has been dominating over 60 percent of total pashmina market in the world.
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