Two traditional base units of the textile sector linkage industry - handloom and silk -are faced with acute crisis tn producing fabrics, which Is badly affecting the country’s economy

A recent Textile Ministry report revealed that the conventional handloom units, the second largest employment generators in the country’s rural areas, have been reduced to half as far as their size and production are concerned.

"These handloom units play an important role in the country's economy, accounting for more than 60 per cent of the total fabric production." the report said

But ironically enough, these units have tumbled in producing half their capacity since this sub-sector is faced with severe problems including high rales of raw materials, said an official.

The ministry identified that high price of thread and other

raw materials for the handlooms. scarcity of fabric processing chemicals and their supply. marketing hitches, dearth of capital and credit facilities arc hindering (hr production of the handloom units across the country

Presently. the handloom units are producing some 55 crore metre fabrics of different kinds against (heir production capacity of 105.5 crore metre

Similar conditidns are also persisting In the silk yarn production units, another Important component of the textile sector. Production in these units has fallen mainly because of widespread poverty.

Urban women, who are engaged in the silk production, are widely poverty-stricken and find it really hard to carry on with their business without financial support.

Though the government took steps towards making the sub-

sector more productive, the country is still tar from recouping its lost glory In silk production, said a senior official in the Silk Board.

Officials at the Bangladesh Handloom Board said that the government had planned to reduce duty on raw materials to improve (he conditions of- the rural weavers by providing sup-ports. Weavers are being trained on semi-automatic machines to Improve their designs and quality of weaving, thev said

The Board also undertook four projects al a cost ol Tk 89.92 crore to better both the quality and quantity ol handloom goods. These include a Tk 24.42 crore project for setting up Mirpur Benarashl Palit in Dhaka. Tk 50 cron- micro-credit project lor small and marginal weavers across the country, setting up ol Ishardi Benar.ishi Palh in Pabna and .mother Tk 13.25 crore credit s< heme for weavers affected in the 1998

Bangladesh Silk Board has in the meantime taken several measures to improve silk out put and (he condition of Ihe rural poor people engaged in It

The government has chalked out an elaborate and sustainable programme for the overall development of silk production and to regain Its past glory. Under It. six projects are being Implemented at a cost of Tk 32 1 crore.

Meanwhile, a Tk 13.95 crore World Bank-financed project aims at introducing new technology in silk Industry through strengthening the existing the national institute. The project is expected to be completed bv 2002.

The Ministry of Textiles has projected a cost of Tk 58.06! crore for Ihe development of the country’s linkage industries to meet the Internal and export demands following expiry of the quota system in 2005.