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State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam has said the government will take necessary policy measures to strengthen the handloom industry, with a focus on the needs and challenges of marginal weavers.
He made the remarks during a view-exchange meeting with local weavers in Baaitara village under Sirajganj Sadar upazila, according to an official handout.
Weavers at the meeting highlighted key concerns, including access to loans, rising raw material costs, fair pricing, and marketing challenges.
Shariful said future policies would be shaped by direct feedback from grassroots weavers. “We must listen to the weavers to understand their real problems. Our plans will be based on their needs,” he said.
Describing Sirajganj as a major hub of the country’s handloom industry, the state minister noted its rich heritage and untapped potential.
“The government is working to revive and modernise this traditional sector,” he added.
He said issues such as yarn and dye supply, price volatility, market access and the role of middlemen were raised during the discussion, and assured that steps would be taken to ensure genuine weavers benefit from government support.
The minister also revealed that around Tk 65 crore in soft loans has already been disbursed in Sirajganj Sadar, Ullapara, Shahjadpur and Belkuchi at a concessional interest rate of four percent.
Efforts are underway to expand this support to more weavers, alongside ensuring proper utilisation and timely repayment.
Highlighting skill development, Shariful said newly established loom training and basic centres in Sirajganj will not only provide training but also help create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Partnerships with universities, textile institutes and industries will offer hands-on learning and job prospects for trainees.
He expressed optimism that joint efforts by the government and weavers would help restore the country’s traditional handloom industry to a thriving state.
Senior officials, including Textiles and Jute Secretary Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, Bangladesh Handloom Board representatives, local administration officials and leaders of weavers’ associations, were present at the event.