Handloom Demonstration Project

MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, February 19, 2007

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MARUTHAMUNAI – Hon. Ferial Ashraff, Minister of Housing & Common Amenities today announced that the Canadian Agro Sustainability Partnership Inc. (CASP) will undertake a major Demonstration Project to develop and enhance the handloom industry in Ampara District. The project will include the following elements:

• Creation of a Centre of Excellence, which will include showroom facilities, for production and marketing of handloom goods produced in Ampara District.
  
• Modernization of product dyeing facilities through equipment acquisition and appropriate environmental measures.
  
• Provision of management advisory services by CASP to assist business development of the handloom sector, including:
  • quality control in the production process;
    
  • finance support through micro credit programs;
    
  • export market development initiatives;
    
  • technology transfer and training programs for workers and management in the handloom industry.

The CASP Demonstration Project for the Handloom Industry will include a number of local partners including: Maruthamunai Development Company (Peoples) Ltd., Pesum Nilayam People’s Co Ltd, and other handloom businesses and stakeholders.

Minister Ashraff and the Ministerial Task Force have responsibility within the Government of Sri Lanka for CASP’s preparation of the Ampara District Master Plan. CASP’s activities under the Master Plan are funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The Master Plan includes all sectors of socio-economic development in Sri Lanka and is to provide a way forward for the next 15-20 years. It encompasses tsunami reconstruction, conflict reconstruction, and socio-economic opportunities for the District.