This is an extract from NepalNews.com about their concerns of the use of using powelooms in the pashmina industry.

Powerloom Pashmina Prevail

The exports of handloom pashmina have declined heavily after powerloom pashmina have begun placing ‘handmade pashmina tags’, says Handloom Pashmina Entrepreneurs Association.

Voicing protest against this trend, the association has demanded the government to make a clear-cut policy to monitor such malpractice in pashmina exports.

"We are not against powerlooms but exporting pashmina with a fake tag is what we are opposing", said Damodar Khadka at a press conference. This trend has not only cheated the customers but has also reduced employment, he said.

Despite the difference in quality in handloom and powerloom pashmina, the machine made pashmina has captured the international market, he said. The main reason, according to Khadka, is that the buyers do not know the main difference between the two products.

"Handmade pashmina has softness whereas powerloom pashmina does not have softness", he informed. Powerloom pashmina manufacturers are very much optimistic about the future of then business. Considering this and to sustain the present boom in pashmina industry, Momento Apparels (P) Ltd. of Nepal and Huhhot Xin Chao Art Co. of China have set up Emperor’s Gold Mount, a joint venture pashmina industry in Bhadrapur with capacity to produce some 600,000 pieces of pashmina per year.

Set up at a total investment of US$ 3 million, it expects to provide employment to over 500 locals of whom 70 percent will be women, company sources say.

This shows that pashmina entrepreneurs are hopeful that the business will not meet the fate of the Nepali carpet industry.

And with a view to ensure the longevity of the pashmina industry, entrepreneurs are also diversifying their products into pashmina trousers, gowns, bags etc., state pashmina entrepreneurs.

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