15 handloom entrepreneurs granted incentives under export development approach

Fifteen handloom entrepreneurs have been granted incentives under the Export Development Approach for the year 2015-16, in a program 'Know Your Weavers' with distribution of ten looms to weavers at Panthoibi Arcade, Wangkhei here today.

Manipur's Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that though a little late, the state had observed National Handloom Day on August 7 in tandem with the national level observation.

He said the financial support given by Chief Minister Ibobi Singh to the 15 entrepreneurs is laudable and such programme will continue in the future.

Konthoujam further said that the cooperation of the weavers with the department concerned has been gaining momentum. In this way, the weavers can sustain themselves and also help in the economic growth of the state, he added.

Citing the example of an entrepreneur from Ukhrul, he said that this entrepreneur produces denim fabric with a tag that conveys the identity of the weaver. He said uch creativity needs to be appreciated.

Konthoujam said the state government is working hard to facilitate underprivileged weavers as much as possible. He said the announcement made by Additional Director of Handloom of loan amounting to Rs 50, 000 with six percent interest per annum will help many of the cotton weavers in the long run.

During the programme, Directorate of Commerce and Industries director, B John Thangtinkhuma, Officer in charge of Weavers' Service Centre C Rajasekaran, President of All Manipur Handloom Entrepreneurs' Development Consortium and National Awardee, Ksh Gambhini Devi were also present as functional president and guests of honour respectively.