CII, Jaipur Rugs to develop rural business hub

Posted: Nov 16 2007

Srinagar: Industry body CII will establish a rural business hub with Jaipur Rugs Pvt Ltd for carpet weaving in Kashmir.

There is a great potential for carpet weaving and the hub would provide a major source of livelihood to rural artisans, Jaipur Rugs Pvt Ltd_s proprietor Adeel Abbas said here. At present, artisans in the valley are facing problems such as lower wages, obsolete technology, lack of variety in design, monopolized market and exploitation by middlemen.

He said the common facility centre in the hub would provide services such as storing raw materials, latest and innovative designs, washing, dyeing, capacity building and research and development to artisans. The hub would address the current challenges and integrate rural artisans with the global markets, Abbas said.

He said the establishment of the hub in Kashmir would give a new impetus to the carpet industry by ensuring better returns to artisans. Rural Business Hubs are being promoted by Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj for encouraging industries in rural areas.