Aussie govt to support Sri Lankan handloom sector

18 Jan '12

4 min read

Sri Lanka's handloom sector holds strong promise. In the aftermath of tourism boom, our handlooms too have begun to surge. “Any future support from Australia to introduce Private Public Partnership (PPP) model to our handloom will be most welcome” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce on 16 January.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing Her Excellency Sonya Koppe, Australian Deputy High Commissioner in Colombo who was making a courtesy call on Minister Bathiudeen on 16 January at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce premises, Colombo 3.

Briefing H.E. Sonya Koppe on the progress of handloom sector, Minister Bathiudeen said: “We have now setup a national level, high priority task force on handlooms which will spearhead the new handlooms roadmap of the country. The demand for Sri Lanka handlooms have been steadily growing in both local and international segments. Sri Lanka's booming tourism has become a key driver in the handloom surge”.

“We are now preparing to upgrade the sector with product diversification, new training, design development, and marketing. We are planning to establish District level handloom centres under private sector management. With Australian government's support, we can infuse the Private Public Partnership model in this sector” Minister Bathiudeen said.”

Having perused through a Sri Lankan handloom sample displayed by veteran designer Senaka De Silva, Her Excellency Sonya Koppe said: “I shall certainly take the handloom message back to our High Commissioner. This appears to be a terrific project.”

Her Excellency Koppe also stressed on the longstanding bilateral relations between both countries.

“Sri Lanka is thankful for the support extended by Australia and AusAid to 3,785 returnee families to reconstruct or repair their damaged houses in the districts of Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Killinochchi under the 'Shelter Support to Conflict Affected IDPs in Northern Sri Lanka' Project” Minister Bathiudeen said.

Sri Lanka's $ 13 Mn handlooms industry has seen a sudden resurgence in the aftermath of end of conflict in 2009 and booming tourism numbers. Currently, Sri Lanka handlooms, in addition to the domestic market, are readily absorbed by Italy, Maldives, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Thailand, Netherlands and Norway.

According to the Exports Development Board (EDB) under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the handloom exports valued $ 0.90 Mn in 2009 rose in 2010 to $ 1.5 Mn and in January-October 2011, stood at $ 1.17 Mn. EDB expects the handloom exports to hit $ 2.24 Mn in 2015. The handloom textile export target for 2011 set by the EDB under the Ministry of Industries is US $ 1.29 million (Rs 146 million).

Sri Lanka's handloom sector is one of the low cost but high earning industries. Its annual production exceeds six million metres of looms with an estimated annual production value of Rs 1500 Mn ($ 13.19 Mn) all of which are absorbed by both local and international demand. The production is labour intensive and the industry consumes less electricity & utilities while generating higher employment. At present, there are 511 weaving centres with 2971 weavers and more than 10000 looms in Sri Lanka assisted by 22 dying houses.