Jharkand to promote livelihoods of textile craftspersons

The state government's efforts, led by Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd (Jharcraft), were discussed along with emerging opportunities in the textile, apparel, footwear and fashion sector at the event. The seminar brought together various stakeholders and reputed dignitaries in the fashion, textiles, footwear and apparel sector, during the India Fashion Week 2017, to discuss insightful propositions on finding newer markets for products handcrafted by the state's tribals.

Jharcraft is a government of Jharkhand undertaking formed to initiate steps to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities in the rural areas, based on sericulture, handloom, handicraft and other allied activities. The seminar held at the venue of India Fashion Week showed the way forward for diverse sectors such as fashion garments, textile and footwear.

Subsequently, a first-of-its-kind Business to Government (B2G) meeting was also held at Jharkhand Bhavan, New Delhi at the second half with senior officials from Jharkhand, where government bureaucrats interacted on a one-and-one basis with prospective investors in the state to discuss the way forward for a golden investment opportunity in the state of Jharkhand, focusing on the key pillars of flexible policymaking and enhancing ease of doing business.

During the meeting, Pavel Sukoybeda, first secretary, Embassy of Republic of Belarus, exclusively met the secretariat team of government of Jharkhand and expressed their interest in investing in Jharkhand. On the other hand, various other investors also showed interest in endorsing in various public projects such as techno parks, upcoming skyway project, metro projects, and so on.

"The major benefits of policies for Jharkhand in the textile industry are that the state is offering major incentives for the investors and providing 50 per cent of the rebate for land acquisition tax," said Raj Bala Verma, chief secretary, government of Jharkhand at the meeting.

"Jharcraft hopes to provide a platform to the artisans and weavers to merchandise their own products, through the maximum utilisation of resources and manpower of Jharkhand. The artisans producing the silk are largely poor tribals from Jharkhand state who have no means to promote or market their incredible works. At Jharcraft, we are driven by a quest to improve sources of livelihood for these artisans by providing them platforms to showcase their wondrous works and find market opportunities in the international arena," said K Ravi Kumar, managing director, Jharcraft, while delivering his welcome address at the seminar. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India