Weavers told to produce export quality products

By Our Staff Reporter

ERODE, MAY 30. The Tamilnadu Handlooms and Textiles Directorate, Chennai, will start an ``Export Promotion Interaction Centre'' on September 15 to develop and promote export of handloom products, according to Mr N. K. K. Periyasamy, Minister for Handlooms and Textiles.

Mr. Periyasamy said about 20,000 swatches (sample cloth) of export varieties would be displayed at the centre.

Any foreign buyer may place the orders after verifying the swatches at the centre, he said.

Regarding the export of handloom cloths, the Minister said the cooperative societies had exported Rs 25 crore worth of goods last year and earned more than Rs four crore profit. This year, he said, it was proposed to export atleast Rs 100 crore worth of handloom goods through the cooperative weavers societies.

Mr. Periyasamy said under the World Trade Organisation agreement, several countries would market their products in different countries from year 2005.

To give an healthy competition, the Tamil Nadu Government was encouraging the exports and modernisation of the looms.

The Minister was confident that the State would achieve the target of Rs 100 crore export this year.

The Handloom Directorate is computerising its Directorate and also the Assistant Director of Handlooms circle offices.

The Minister said an awareness about export would be created among the weavers and for this purpose a training centre would be started at Erode.

The Minister has appealed to the weavers to produce quality products that suited to the tastes of foreigners. He exhorted the weavers to utilise the technology upgradation fund and produce quality products. He wanted the weavers to modernise their looms, for which, he said, sufficient funds were given to them. Mr Periyasamy said an action plan for the production of handloom products for export would be drawn soon.

Water supply scheme

The Minister said Kasipalayam was one of the dry areas in Erode, where now drinking water was being given under comprehensive water supply scheme. A separate scheme for providing water, at a cost of Rs 12.47 crores, had been sanctioned, the Minister said adding within a year the Kasipalayam residents would get drinking water under the new scheme.

Mr Anthiyur P. Selvarasu, Khadi Minister, said the Government was spending huge money for the welfare of Adi Dravidas. This year, Rs 560 crores had been granted for the Adi Dravida welfare.

Mr P. W. C. Davidar, Director of Handlooms, said there were 148 members enrolled in the Kasipalayam Adidravidar Powerloom Weavers Cooperative Society, of whom 94 were having looms.

Mr S. Karuthiah Pandian, Collector, advised the weavers to manufacture quality goods and execute the export orders in time.

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