The National Productivity Organisation (NPO) has formulated a plan of action for the uplift of the dormant handloom textile sector of NWFP.
The NPO has been asked by the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Smeda to take initiative for this sector, which also provides employment to 32,000 people.
The NPO, which is subordinate organisation of the Industries and Production Ministry, after detailed consultative sessions with the weavers community and partner agencies, has devised a plan for strengthening of this sector, which envisages the provisions of soft-term loans and working capital at very nominal costs, revival of training centres, establishment of common facility centre, and access to expert and master trainers.
The partner agencies include in addition NPO and Smeda, the Sarhad Chamber, the Small Industries Development Board, the EPB, the Bank of Khyber, the SME bank and the Matta Mughalkhail Weavers Association.
An official of the NPO told APP that the initiative was kicked off last week in a meeting with the stakeholders in which plan of action for the revitalisation of this sector was finalised.