DHAKA: Minister of Industries Dilip Barua said the government is expected to finalize the National Handicraft Policy by October 2013.
 
Barua came up with the disclosure in an inter-ministerial meeting for drafting the handicraft policy at his office in Dhaka Tuesday.
 
The main goal to formulate the policy is to increase capability of import-substitute products like handicrafts using the creativity of rural women, he added.
 
Sources said the proposed policy aims to provide financial support, increase production, upgrade market strategy, reorient human resources development strategy and engage more rural women.
 
The main objective of the handicrafts policy is to make the sector economically viable and get a larger share in the national and international markets.
 
Bangladesh exports handicraft products worth US$ 1 billion annually, which includes jute and handloom products like the Jamdani saree which is a handloom woven fabric made of cotton, and the Nakshi Kantha, which is a type of embroidered quilt.
 
Source: Fibre2fashion
BDST: 1335 HRS, SEP 24, 2013
SR/RS/BSK