The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a government proposal to establish mini garment factories in under developed provinces to empower the women in rural areas, according to media reports in the island nation. According to proposal made by Industry and Commerce Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen, the government will establish 150 mini garment factories in selected districts including Eastern and Uva Provinces. Under the programme, rural women will be selected through a transparent method and the priority will be given to those who belong to displaced families and who became widows due to the civil war. The selected women will be given training in tailoring by the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel while National Entrepreneurship Development Authority and the Industrial Development Board will train them in entrepreneurship development. Assistance in designing will be provided by the National Design Centre and the Jathika Shilpa Sabawa. The programme is designed to encourage small and medium scale entrepreneurs in approaching the international market and provide job opportunities for rural women.
