6,000 jobs in textile sector
COLOMBO: The Textile Industry Development Ministry has
provided an opening for 6,000 self-employment opportunities in the
sector through the introduction of appropriate strategies for the
development of handloom and powerloom sectors this year.
Ministry Additional Secretary W.D. Jayasinghe told the Daily News
that the Ministry has already set up 10 new handloom textile training
centers in Hambantota, Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala and Puttalam
investing Rs. 25 million while developing its numerous centers in
operation.
Over 500 persons train at these centers while the Ministry is in the
process of setting up six more centers in both rural and urban areas.
He said the Ministry spends nearly Rs. 100,000 on each trainee and on
completion of a six-month training period, all candidates who underwent
the training would be helped in setting up their own ventures through
Ministry intervention.
"We are providing weaving machinery, raw material and bank loans to
commence their home based business.
The ministry also provided Rs. 2000 to each trainee during their
training period." He said over 1000 looms will be developed this year.
Currently there are 10,000 looms operating throughout the country.
"We also trained people in the private sector while paying allowance
through the ministry," Jayasinghe said. Though traditional handloom
products have a good demand in the international market, local weavers
should concentrate on producing value added products by following the
latest techniques and colour trends.
He said two experts from India will arrive in Sri Lanka to train
people on how to convert traditional items into marketable products. The
machinery will be modified adopting new technology which will improve
the industry, Jayasinghe said.
Aiming to provide knowledge on producing value added handloom
products, local weavers will take part in two trade fairs scheduled to
be held in Bombay and Germany this year. |