KL Desk
SRINAGAR
Blend of old and modern art works, renovated handloom showroom at Silk Weaving Factory, Solina Rambag, was inaugurated by S.S. Slathia, minister for industries and Commerce on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister has called for development and production of market driven handloom products of high standard quality that would yield in better returns. He has also urged for adopting modern marketing channels to boost handloom sales in a big way, adding that engaging Travel Agents and Tourists Guides on commission basis for promotion campaign could also be beneficial for the purpose.
The showroom is considered as a credible and genuine source for handloom products, and is visited regularly by the customers both locals as well as tourists.
Salathia, while inspecting various stalls in the showroom, directed the management to focus on attracting tourists and customers, adding that hoardings about handloom products under the brand name of “POSHISH” should be installed at prominent places and tourist destinations to make the tourists and customers aware about the new blends and latest designs in fabrics.
“Production of quality fabrics in new designs and colour schemes at market competitive price is of vital significance to attract customers in large numbers”, Slathia said while directing concerned officers to distribute modernized looms to the weavers without any delay as it was imperative to enhance productivity and quality
The Managing Director, Handloom Development Corporation (HDC), Mauzam informed the minister that in 16 working days, sales to the tune of Rs. 3.88 lacs with an average of Rs. 24000 has been conducted in the showroom.
“As against a production of 0.35 lakh metres up to ending September, 2011, the Corporation has produced 1.03 lakh metres during the same period in current fiscal. Similarly the sales figure of the Corporation stagger at Rs. 238.04 lakh plus orders worth Rs. 195.00 lakh in hand as on 31-09-2012 as against a total sale of Rs. 63.34 lakh in the corresponding period of 2011-12,” Mauzam informed.
