Rehabilitation of affected handloom sector
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Mohsin Ali
THE level of damage done to the handloom industry by the flood in Sirajganj is apparently enormous. Floodwaters submerged the looms creating awe in many local small entrepreneurs. The weavers lost their yarn stock and cloths in the process of texture on looms. A similar situation was noted in some parts of Tangail, Pabna and Narshingdi, where most of our handloom units are located.
The handloom, though an invisible cottage industry, is still a huge sector. It accounts for value addition of about Tk 10 billion to the economy. It supplies lungis and saris for our men and women. Had the sector not existed, our annual import bill on account of importation of these two items alone would have crossed Tk 100 billion. Besides, the handloom industry is a big employment sector, which engages both men and women. If the sector degenerates due to neglect after this flood, the country will lose a huge sum of money in terms of lost production and lost opportunities for employment of its workforce. Saris and lungis will have to be brought in then from across the border through regular import at the expense of foreign exchange or these items would creep in through the smuggling routes. There will a greater surge of rural people towards Dhaka in search of jobs as well.
The Ministry of Jute and Textile should immediately assess, with the assistance of its Handloom Board, the extent of damage suffered by the handloom sector due to the flood. It should estimate the need for financial support of the affected handloom sector and work out a plan for extending loans to the weavers, either directly or through banks. The matter of rehabilitation of the weavers is urgent.
THE level of damage done to the handloom industry by the flood in Sirajganj is apparently enormous. Floodwaters submerged the looms creating awe in many local small entrepreneurs. The weavers lost their yarn stock and cloths in the process of texture on looms. A similar situation was noted in some parts of Tangail, Pabna and Narshingdi, where most of our handloom units are located.
The handloom, though an invisible cottage industry, is still a huge sector. It accounts for value addition of about Tk 10 billion to the economy. It supplies lungis and saris for our men and women. Had the sector not existed, our annual import bill on account of importation of these two items alone would have crossed Tk 100 billion. Besides, the handloom industry is a big employment sector, which engages both men and women. If the sector degenerates due to neglect after this flood, the country will lose a huge sum of money in terms of lost production and lost opportunities for employment of its workforce. Saris and lungis will have to be brought in then from across the border through regular import at the expense of foreign exchange or these items would creep in through the smuggling routes. There will a greater surge of rural people towards Dhaka in search of jobs as well.
The Ministry of Jute and Textile should immediately assess, with the assistance of its Handloom Board, the extent of damage suffered by the handloom sector due to the flood. It should estimate the need for financial support of the affected handloom sector and work out a plan for extending loans to the weavers, either directly or through banks. The matter of rehabilitation of the weavers is urgent.