Chennai, July 6 (PTI): Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani today flagged product diversification, design innovation and tapping on technology as the key focus areas to further build handloom export capacity.
"We have for too long exported handloom, handwoven wares in defined product categories. But there are enough opportunities today if we look at product diversification to entice more and more global customers," she said.
Speaking after giving away handloom export awards under the aegis of the Handloom Export Promotion Council, she said product placement and positioning too needed to be looked at.
The minister said design innovation and using technology needed focus.
Rather than talking about the strength of the handloom industry in rupee or dollar terms, "we can talk of it in design terms," she said.
Noting that packaging was an old challenge the industry was facing, Irani said this can be converted into an opportunity. The success stories of awardees showed that such challenges could be turned into opportunities she added.
She assured the Central government will ensure that "we are a constant partner," of weavers in their every journey.
Tamil Nadu Handloom Minister O S Manian, who spoke earlier, said the demands raised by the industry on export related issues like enhancement of duty drawback rates needed the Centre's consideration.
Allocation of required funds for clearing ROSL (Rebate of State Levies) pending claims, interest equalization scheme for export credit were among the issues he highlighted.
Also, Manian drew the attention of the Centre to inking a Free Trade Agreement with European Union, USA, United Kingdom and Russia.
CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) with Australia, CECA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) with Canada and other promising countries were also brought to the notice of the Union Minister by Manian.
He also presented a memorandum seeking the Union Textiles Ministry's intervention on matters like Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme and issues on export of apparel and garment export.
Irani, referring to the FTAs said they are a "40 year legacy. I can assure him...the Ministry of Commerce is aggressively working on issue of FTA. Will have good news soon for all of us."
Tagging credit and condition of loom as two challenges faced by weavers, she said they now had support from the Centre to tackle such matters.
In the "Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata Yojana," 90 per cent cost of a new loom with accessories was borne by the Centre for weavers, she pointed out.
Speaking on credit, she referred to the Mudra scheme and said over 12 crore people had received support under it. Of this, 28 per cent were new entrepreneurs and 70 per cent of them women beneficiaries.
Noting that the number of children completing formal education was quite dismal in weaver families, she said the government reimbursed 75 per cent of fees for those belonging to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and BPL segments who enrolled with the National Open University or school.
Handloom exporters should help in identifying children who had not completed education and help them pursue the "gift of education," through the government support, she added.
