No.487/2020-2021

Commerce & Industries Minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana today inaugurated an Expo titled ‘National Handloom Expo 2020’ at the  Millenium Centre Roof Top aimed for the development and promotion of handlooms.

Dr. R. Lalthangliana, who also holds the Health & Family Welfare portfolio, mentioned that along with other informal sectors, the handloom sector was also badly affected by the pandemic and in a lot of cases production has stopped as there were hardly any sales in the last 10 months. He advised people engaged in the handloom sector not to lose heart but to remain focused since the pandemic situation has been improving in the last 2/3 months and hoped that this year will be a better year.

The Minister pointed that the handloom sector contributes to the economy and growth of this sector will also add to the growth of the economy as a whole. He called upon the creative minds engaged in handloom work towards increasing their product range so that their products find a market beyond the state as well.

The Expo was postponed twice last year due to the COVID-19 situation. The Expo which is being organised by Mizoram Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (ZOHANDCO) and funded by Development Commissioner of Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles will take place till the 23rd January. On the sidelines of this Expo, Handloom Expo 2021 under National SC/ST Hub is also being organised by ZOHANDCO.