Jamshedpur, Sept. 16: For state artisans, there is good news at long last. The state handloom department has decided to set up an independent export unit in the state.

If everything goes according to plan, the unit would be established in Jamshedpur. However, Jamshedpur and Ranchi are both being considered, as handloom department officials stressed the need for connectivity with bigger cities as the foremost criterion. .

“Jamshedpur and Ranchi are well-connected to the metros. If Jamshedpur does not get to house the unit due to some last-minute change of plans, Ranchi would get the nod,” said Dhirendra Kumar, director of the state handloom department while speaking to The Telegraph from Ranchi.

Department officials said they would narrow down on what to manufacture only after getting a set of specific demands from the market based on a survey. “A survey would be done shortly,” said Kumar.

Not only would artisans stitch garments from fabrics collected across the state, the department would also acquire fabrics from outside Jharkhand to manufacture products in bulk.

At the moment, the department is eyeing a steady market for readymade garments in foreign countries, with talks on to send products to countries with a strong Indian base.

The handloom department would also establish two apparel training and design centres at Dumka and Chandil respectively, adding to the Ranchi centre. About 500 artisans would be trained.