The Ministry of Textiles has set up a high-level, eight -member, experts’ committee to double the production of handlooms and boost exports. As per a Trade Arabia report, UAE has emerged as the leading investor in India’s textiles sector. Investments from UAE reached $23.09 million in the last five years and are growing. Investments from Oman and Qatar rank on the second and third positions.

The government has also released funds worth Rs 1.25 billion ($16 million) for eight Centres of Excellences in textile research across India. addition, 10 new Handloom Design Resource Centers will be set up by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to build and create design-oriented excellence in handlooms to facilitate exports.

Darshana Jardosh, Minister of State for Textiles, says, the handloom sector has also a vehicle for women’s empowerment since more than 70 per cent of all weavers and allied workers in India are women. The high-level committee is headed by Sunil Sethi, Chairman, Fashion Design Council of India. It has been asked to submit its report in 45 days.