Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has supported Aharam Weavers by organizing a skill development and capacity building training programme for women weavers. Aharam Weavers is a producer-owned company from a village near Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, engaged in producing organic cotton products of which around 90 per cent are exported for overseas markets.
In the training programme, a group of women weavers was trained by Master weavers and tailors from the region. The objective of the training programme was to teach innovative ideas of product development using modern techniques to 14 women weavers.
Exim Bank’s support laid emphasis on training the semi-skilled and unskilled women weavers in several looming activities which resulted in making innovative products using handloom. Several women weavers were trained in handling operations of ordinary as well as jacquard handloom and few women artisans were also trained in tailoring, finishing of products and performing quality checks.
The Exim Bank General Manager, Ms. Deepali Agrawal, said that the bank has conducted many such skill development workshops across India with the objective of improving efficiency and productivity of participating artisans. India’s handloom products are well appreciated in overseas market and the bank wants to improve the exportability and at the same time empower artisans.
Mr. Mohanraj, Project Head, Aharam Weavers, said that the training programme imparted knowledge on different weaving techniques using various quality of yarn. The training helped in upgradation of existing skills as well as creating prototypes of new products suitable for the export market. Aharam Weavers provides sustainable livelihood to women weavers who partner with it, leading to their social and economic empowerment.
The Skill Development Training Programme for women weavers in Tamil Nadu has encouraged each participant to independently undertake complete processes, including pre-looming activities such as preparing yarn, weft, etc., setting up the loom, weaving fabrics on handloom using jacquard weaving technique to tailoring, stitching and finishing of products. Different type of home furnishings and other products were made during the training programme.
Through its Marketing Advisory Services programme, Exim Bank plays a promotional role to create and enhance export capabilities and international competitiveness of Indian companies. It assists in identification of opportunities overseas and seeks to help Indian exporting firms in their globalization efforts by proactively assisting in locating overseas buyers for their products and services.
Apart from assisting Indian companies in their globalization efforts, Exim Bank also supports grassroots enterprises, self-help groups, artisans and craftsmen from the handicraft & handloom sector of India by way of assisting in product development workshops & skill development training programmes and organizes seminars for spreading export related awareness.