Website to make pashmina products international

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 9

‘Phamb’ – an e-commerce website – was launched today with an aim at taking the famed pashmina products of the Kashmir valley to global customers.

The website www.phamb.co.in was launched by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon at a function held here.

Speaking on the occasion, Ejaz Ayoub, co-founder of The Silk Route Consulting Group, which has been promoting business initiatives, said the online venture aimed at ‘reclaiming the global space of Kashmiri pashmina’.

He said ‘Phamb’ will offer quality pashmina products with geographical indications of goods patent and engage around 5,000 artisans during the next two years.

Junaid Shahdad, who conceived ‘Phamb’, said besides promoting pashmina products, the initiative was launched for the benefit of the local artisans.

Though pashmina is usually associated with shawls, he said they would soon offer other pashmina products like suits, kaftans and ties. “However, the launch of these products will take some time,” Shahdad added.

He said ‘Phamb’ would design, manufacture, distribute and retails all pashmina products, which were mostly hand-woven. “The venture will be showcasing and selling authentic geographical indications tagged pashmina on its e-commerce platform. From pashmina sweaters to jackets, Phamb has put in a lot of innovation in the traditional product to create its global niche,” he said.