Minister for Revenue and Coir Adoor Prakash said here on Thursday that a coir village and an international exhibition cum sales centre would be set up in Alappuzha.
Addressing a press conference, the Minister said that a company modelled on the Cochin International Airport Limited would be formed for organising the village and running the sales centre.
Mr. Prakash said that sales of geotextiles had improved as part of efforts made for diversification. Training was being given for making handicrafts, ornaments, footwear and bags. A modern coir manufacturing unit, built at a cost of Rs. 24 crore, would start functioning shortly.
Intensive efforts were being made for stepping up procurement of husk. The procurement price of husk had been increased. The wages of coir workers had been revised. The expenditure plan funds for coir development last year was 97.79 per cent.