Ziro, June 10: In a major boost to Arunachal Pradesh's handloom sector, the foundation stone for a Handloom Marketing Complex was laid at the Craft Centre Complex in Hapoli, Ziro, Lower Subansiri district, on June 9. The ceremony was led by Shri Pabitra Margherita, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Government of India, in the presence of Ziro MLA Shri Hage Appa and several senior officials.
The Handloom Marketing Complex will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹10.97 crore under a 90:10 funding partnership between the Government of India and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The project is being funded by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, in collaboration with the State Government.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pabitra Margherita highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh is home to more than 94,000 weavers and emphasized the importance of creating dedicated infrastructure to support their livelihoods. The upcoming complex will serve as a central hub for exhibitions, product sales, buyer-seller interactions, and the promotion of traditional weaving practices, thereby strengthening the objectives of the National Handloom Development Programme.
The Minister stated that the initiative reflects the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the development of the North Eastern region, often referred to as the “Ashtalakshmi” of Bharat. He also acknowledged the efforts of Union Minister for Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh and the support of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu in advancing opportunities for local weavers and artisans through improved market access and sustainable livelihood avenues.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Smti Mimum Tayeng, IAS, Commissioner of Textiles and Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh; Smti Oli Perme, APCS (AG), Deputy Commissioner of Lower Subansiri District; Shri Dorjee Phuntso, Director of Textiles and Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh; and Shri S. Bandyopadhyay, Director (Eastern Zone), Weavers' Service Centre, Guwahati, under the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms).
Officials noted that the Handloom Marketing Complex is expected to significantly strengthen the state's handloom ecosystem by enhancing market connectivity, expanding business opportunities for artisans and weavers, and contributing to the preservation and promotion of Arunachal Pradesh's rich textile heritage. The project is also anticipated to play a key role in showcasing the state's traditional weaving excellence to wider national and international markets.





















