| The park, set up a year back at a cost of Rs 5 crore, is in the process of getting ISO 9000 for securing direct export orders from Europe and western countries such as Germany, America, Canada and Australia. These orders will be executed by skilled women. |
| "At present, 40 imported machines are in operation for executing an order from Sweden. Besides, the production, training and marketing centre will soon be managed by trained members of the Federation of Mutually-Aided Cooperative Societies (MACS)," said Nagabhushanam Naidu, production manager of Lace Park. The centre recently exported 30,000 lace works of different kinds to Sweden, he said. |
| Currently, 10,000 young women representing 51 MACS and belonging to six mandals in West Godavari district, are undergoing training in technical and administrative skills to provide their services to the centre. |
| "The training and production centre was set up to improve the economic condition of women of weaker sections. More than two lakh women artisans are engaged in the age-old profession, which has failed to ensure a decent living for them," he said. |
| According to K Surya Kumari, president of the federation of 51 MACS, the federation, dubbed as 'Ambedkar Hastasilpa Vikas Yojana', is engaged in the programme of upgradation of skills of the semi-skilled women. |
| "The training is for three months, and each batch has around 20 women. By the end of the year, the third batch will complete its training," she said. |
| The members of the federation are being groomed to run the entire show. |
| "We have in our design bank about 400 designs of lace works relating to production of stoles, pouches, tops, sleeveless tops and chunnies apart from hand bags, cellphone covers, caps, cushion covers, furnishings, children's wear, curtains, bedspreads, etc. The items are being marketed under the brand name 'Alankruti'," Surya Kumari said. |
Top Section
Explore Business Standard