Goods worth Rs.1891.91 Crores were exported last year and further efforts are being made for its growth. As an outcome of the recently concluded understanding, the USA has agreed to restore GSP concessions to several categories of handloom products. The Government of India is extending assistance under the Scheme, namely, Development of Exportable Products and their Marketing to develop production capabilities of exportable products. Financial assistance is provided for imparting training, purchase of looms, engagement of designers and participation in International Fairs, etc. With the Government of India having made MDA more attractive, I am sure exporters shall take maximum advantage to their benefit.
Credit is a critical input for development of the handloom sector.
The Deen Dayal Hatkargha Protsahan Yojana, in addition to providing grants by the Central and State Governments has a loan component taken care of by banks and financial institutions. They have agreed to extend credit to the weavers belonging to these categories on a priority basis. I have written to all the Chief Minister of State Governments requesting them to take maximum advantage of the scheme, but sufficient proposals for availing credit from the financial institutions are not being sent. It is also tragic that while on the one hand, Central Government has formulated attractive schemes for weavers and the weavers need such schemes, the State Governments have yet to take maximum advantage of the same. I once again urge the State Governments to ensure that sufficient proposals are sent for getting credit facilities from the financial institutions for the benefit of poor handloom weavers.