Imphal, Dec 2 (KNN) Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has inaugurated the first Handloom and Handicrafts Mall at Wangkhei which will  be run by the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (MHHDC) Ltd.

CM Singh said on Twitter, ''Glad to have attended the inauguration of the first Handloom and Handicrafts Mall at Wangkhei, Imphal, today, run by the Manipur HHDCLtd. Handloom and handicraft sector hugely contributes to the overall growth of businesses in the State and 50 per cent is owned by women.''

Biren also informed that 50 per cent of the MSME business is owned by women in the state against the national average of 30 pc as per a report of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

He also said that in order to increase demand of handloom fabrics the state government is considering to bring out a policy to replace fabrics used in stitching school uniforms with handloom products of the state.

In his address, Assembly speaker Khemchand said there is the need to bring out a policy by MHHDC Ltd. to encourage use of handloom products by men as well.

In October this year, Manipur had topped the list of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) business registration among the Northeastern states and 50 per cent of the businesses is owned by women.

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