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The handloom sector is known for its heritage and the tradition of excellent craftsmanship. It provides livelihood to millions of weavers and craftsperson. The industry has not only survived but also grown over the decades due to its inherent strengths like flexibility of production in small quantities, openness to innovation, low level of capital investment and immense possibility of designing fabrics.

While there are sincere efforts from the part of government like Scheme for Supply of Y arn at Mill Gate Price; development schemes like Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme; Diversified Handloom Development Scheme as well as welfare schemes like Handlooms Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme and Marketing and Export Promotion Scheme, support like 10% Rebate Scheme (Non-Plan) for a period of three years i.e. 2006-07 to 2008-09 and other Schemes like Handloom Mark Scheme and Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, still there is a need for new initiatives to help the sector to meet with the current economic scenario and also to compete with powerloom sector. At the time of designing the schemes, policy makers are to ensure that these schemes are easily accessible and available to the beneficiaries then only the desired goal will be achieved. With such initiatives, the sector will register a continuous rate of growth in the coming years.

The sector needs support in terms of input/raw material, marketing, product promotional, infrastructure, welfare measures, composite growth oriented package, development of exportable products, research & development facilities etc. It also needs guidance in the areas of trade information and intelligence; promotional guidance and knowledge foreign markets; buyer seller meets and participation in international trade events; consultancy and guidance for handloom exporters; liaison with the Government of India on all procedural and policy matters relevant to the handloom export trade; dealing with trade complaints pertaining to handloom exports; rapport with the commercia agencies abroad for augmentation of handloom exports; facilitating product diversification and adaptation to meet modern market requirements; providing design inputs and motivation to modernization of handlooms for the export markets. Brand equity of handlooms is the need of the hour.

In short, handloom sector can shine in domestic and international markets, provided an environment of harmonious support of the above aspects to the sector.