Kathmandu, Sept. 24 -- Although one of Nepal's best-known exports, the success of the pashmina industry unravelled in recent years. From a peak of Rs5 billion in 2000-1, exports fell to Rs1.8 billion in 2004-5 because of a surge in cheap counterfeit, lack of processing facilities, shortage of skilled labour, over-production and under-cutting.
The launch of 'Chyangra Pashmina' brand has helped the industry recover slightly, with exports earning Rs2.2billion in 2017-18. But there is another tool that could revive Nepal's fine wool product and boost exports: open data.
Information that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone for any purpose is called open data. The information can be used to innovate, improve business effici...