The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The month-long Hand Loom Textile Fair-2008 began at the premises of the Shilpakala Academy in the city yesterday marking the Independence and National day-2008.

Adviser Anwarul Iqbal, Textile and Jute Ministry, inaugurated the fair organised by the Bangladesh Weaving Board.

Anwarul Iqbal said weavers would be allocated space at the union level farmers' market to be opened in each union of the country.

He said the products of the handloom sector have been able to earn praise abroad.

He urged the weavers for making clothes with the natural fibre instead of synthetic fibre, as the demand of fabrics made of natural fibre is increasing in the world market.

He informed that over three lakh handlooms were in operation in the country involving about 15 lakh people directly or indirectly.

Lack of proper organisation, problems in the distribution of products, lack of capital, low standard of raw materials and outdated technology, lack of training and skill are main obstacles to the development of the handloom sector, he noted.

Anwarul Iqbal said the government distributed Tk 2 crore as assistance among 10 thousands flood affected weavers families during post-flood of 2007 and about Tk 34.5 crore loan would also be provided to 28,226 weavers' families.

He told a weaving training institute will be set up in Sirajganj, training centres at Kalihati, Kumarkhali, Rangamati to develop the skills of the weavers.

The Ishurdi Banarasi Palli that was established at a cost of TK 2 crore and Mirpur Banarasi Palli would be set up at a cost of Tk 29 crore and 47 lakh, the Adviser informed.

The government has already taken a project titled "Fashion Design, Basic Centre and Training Centre to Develop the Hand Loom Textile," he said.

Secretary of Textile and Jute Ministry Abdur Rashid Sarkar said the Weaving sector contributes 16 per cent to the GDP of the country, while jute 1.6 per cent. The weaving sector fulfils 40 per cent of domestic demand, he added.

The interests of the weaving industry would be considered at the time of the formation of the textile policy of the country, as the development of the industry is very important for the well being of the country's economy, he added.

Secretary of Liberation War Affairs Ministry Nasir Uddin Ahmed also address the inaugural session. The function was presided over by Abdul Hakim Mandal, Chairman of Bangladesh Weavers Board.