Industry & Economy
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Handloom
Handloom sector eyes $50-b exports by 2010
Our Bureau
Rajahmundry
,
Aug. 25
INDIAN handloom products are in great demand in the international market, with no competition from any country, and the industry targets $ 50 billion exports by 2010, said Dr B.V. Somasekhar, Director of the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
He spoke to reporters here on Thursday after making a presentation at a one-day workshop on handloom exports organised by the Handloom Export Promotion Council.
Dr Somasekhar said exports currently stood at $ 15 billion, of which garments accounted for $ 6.5 billion. He said the Union Government had set up a technology upgradation fund and would focus on integrated human resource development in the sector. He said handlooms constituted merely 20 per cent of the country's total cloth production. "There is greater demand for eco-friendly dyes, textures and multifarious designs in the international market. Handloom products are much sought after."
He said 13 lakh skilled workers were needed to achieve the $ 50 billion target. "Each of the seven NIFT centres would adopt one rural cluster with the support of the respective state government.
In Andhra Pradesh, NIFT has selected Chirala in Prakasam district and Rs 75 lakh will be provided by the Government of India and Rs 25 lakh by the State Government; 1,600 students, mostly from weaving societies, would benefit," he said.
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