The current government is working to revive the country’s traditional handloom industry and restore its lost glory by adopting policies focusing on the needs of grassroots craftsmen, said state minister for textiles and jute Md Shariful Alam on Sunday.

“The government is working to enrich the handloom industry further by reviving this lost tradition,” he said.

The state minister made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting with handloom craftsperson at Baitara village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila, said a PID handout here.

He said the government will formulate necessary policies for the development and expansion of the country's handloom industry by giving priority to the opinions, problems and recommendations of grassroots handloom artisans.

During the programme, the artisans highlighted various issues relating to the development of the handloom sector, including access to loans, rising prices of yarn and raw materials, marketing challenges and other difficulties facing the industry.

The state minister said future plans and policy decisions will be based on the opinions of grassroots artisans by understanding their real-life challenges.

Describing Sirajganj as one of the country's main handloom hubs, Shariful said the region has a rich tradition and immense potential in the handloom sector.

He said some Tk 65 crore in loans has already been disbursed among handloom craftsmen in Sirajganj Sadar, Ullapara, Shahjadpur and Belkuchi upazilas under an easy-term credit programme carrying an interest rate of four percent.

The state minister also said the newly established Handloom Training Centre and Basic Centre in Sirajganj would not only provide training but also help trainees become entrepreneurs and secure employment.

Textiles and Jute Secretary Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, high officials from Bangladesh Handloom Board and local administration were present.