Union Minister Kishan Reddy inaugurates National Handloom week, highlights govt support for weavers

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the week-long National Handloom Day celebrations at Madhapur Shilparamam on Sunday and emphasised the central government's commitment to supporting the handloom and textile sector.

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Extending his greetings to participants, Kishan Reddy said the handloom and textile industry is a vital pillar of India’s economy, providing employment to nearly 5 crore people directly and indirectly, making it the second-largest employer after agriculture.

He said handlooms not only sustain livelihoods but also contribute to foreign exchange, with the sector accounting for 2.3 percent of the country’s GDP, 13 percent of industrial production, and 12 percent of exports.

The Union Minister noted that India has emerged as the sixth-largest exporter of handlooms and textiles globally, with exports worth Rs 3 lakh crore in 2023-24.