Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said on Friday that a production centre would be opened for women artisans who have undergone training in textile design and ornamentation. He was addressing a meeting of artisans and entrepreneurs of the textile industry, organised by Kerala Artisans Development Corporation (Kadco) at the Kerala Institute for Entrepreneurship Development at Kalamasserry.
The minister said the government was planning to extend support to small groups of women artisans. The aid could be given under start-up schemes or other suitable funding programmes.
About 200 women had undergone training initiated by Kadco for six months, under the guidance of Directorate of Industries and Commerce. The women, belonging to Ernakulam and Thrissur districts were trained in garment-making using traditional and contemporary designs. A few of the textile industry representatives sought designs to suit their requirements.
P.M. Francis, Director of Industries, said the women would be provided with handholding facility for some time so that the training would not get wasted. A few production centres could be opened depending on the demand. Public Works Minister Ebrahim Kunju, Kadco Chairman K. Purushothaman and others were present.