Centre keen to support Andhra lace artisans, Textiles Ministry sanctions Rs 70 cr

HYDERABAD: Textiles Ministry has alloted Rs 70 crore to strengthen and also help the Andhra lace goods, artisans, weavers and small entrepreneurs.

This information was given by Minister of State for Textiles Panabaaka Lakshmi after state Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy laid the foundation stone of the Rs 15.33-crore International Lace Trade Centre at Narasapuram.

Lakshmi stated that over 80% of the net output of lace produces in this region, consisting districts of West and East Godavari, is exported to prominent foreign markets such as US, Europe and Japan.

The Textiles Ministry wants to boost lace products, artisans, weavers and entrepreneurs. The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) has selected Narsapuram as one the clusters for establishing an International Lace Trade Centre.

The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is the nodal point for the functioning of the centre.

Narsapuram has nearly 40 exporters of lace products.