Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2019-04-02

Establishment of the South Asian Association of Regional Corporation (SAARC) Handicrafts Development Centre in Sri Lanka

- It has been proposed to establish Handicraft Villages in every member country of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the assistance of the SAARC Development Fund. Accordingly, it is expected to provide assistance in uplifting the well being of the low income artisans of the SAARC Region. It has been proposed to develop the Polgolla Handicraft Development Centre belonging to the National Crafts Council as the SAARC Handicraft Development Centre, for the implementation of this programme in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, the Minister of Industry & Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training & Skills Development, to establish the SAARC Handicraft Development Centre with the assistance of the SAARC Development Fund, was approved by the Cabinet.