Assam govt to formulate a new textile policy for state handloom sector

The proposed policy will focus on integrating production and marketing of handloom & textile products, economically empowering the weavers and making a niche for handicrafts of the state in world market.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday directed this while reviewing the activities of Handloom and Textile Department in a meeting held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati.

The Assam CM further directed the Department to set up a state of the art Emporium showcasing unique and attractive fabrics of all communities of the state near Pragjyoti ITA Center for Performing Arts, Machkhowa shortly.

Sonowal also asked the departmental officials to devise strategy to significantly project the handloom products of the state in the  forthcoming “India-International Textile Summit, 2017” to be held at Gujarat from June 30 to July 2.

This textile Summit to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It will witness participation by 28 countries including China, US, UK, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Kanada, South Korea, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, France, Netherlands, Vietnam, Hong Kong.

Acknowledging the vast potential of the handloom & textile sector of the state, the Assam CM also advised the department to formulate pragmatic strategies to empower the rural weavers, marketing of the products as well as motivating young entrepreneurs to take up the trade.

Sonowal also advocated planning for chain-linked exhibition system covering all districts of the state for proper marketing of the handicrafts.

Handloom and Textile Minister Ranjit Dutta, Media Adviser to CM Hrishikesh Goswami, Principal Secretary Sanjay Lohia and several senior officials of Handloom & Textile Department were present in the review meeting.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)