GUWAHATI, Feb 23 � The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC), a Govt. of India enterprise under the Ministry of DoNER will open a yarn depot in the capital city in collaboration with the National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd as part of its efforts to diversify its activities.
This was announced by Jagdish Borah, managing director of the NEHHDC on Tuesday at an assemblage of weavers, artisans, entrepreneurs and representatives from NGOs for knowledge sharing and advocacy.
Borah said that the yarn depot will be a boon for the weavers as they would be able to purchase yarn at more competitive rates as compared to the yarn available in the local market. �While the NEHHDC will communicate to all the weavers and entrepreneurs asking for their requirement of yarn, the Purbashree Emporium of the NEHHDC at Ambari will also stock some yarn of different varieties,� he said.
The programme was also attended by U Sarmah, commissioner of industries and commerce, Assam and DK Goswami, managing director, ATDC Ltd among others.
Sharing his expertise with the weavers and entrepreneurs, Partha Borbara, principal, Sualkuchi Institute of Fashion Technology stressed the need for innovation in the handloom sector pointing out that weavers and entrepreneurs of the State were yet to catch up with the changing fashion statement of the country and the subsequent demand driven handloom market. He said that creativity in improving product usability should be the mantra of all entrepreneurs in view of the rising competitiveness in the market.
�To be successful, the entrepreneurs have to go ahead considering the market demands like quality, attractiveness and originality,� said Borbara, mentioning that colour choice was of paramount importance in the handloom sector which determines the success of a product. He added that entrepreneurs should also take the aid of technology to compete in the market.
Issues like marketing of handloom and handicrafts of the North East, role of the financial institutions, management of micro and small scale enterprises etc., were also discussed by the participants.
