The government's aim is to increase the economic growth of five to six percent in the rural sector to eight to ten percent by establishing handicraft villages producing high quality products in different parts of the country, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary, P. Sivagnanasothy said.

Addressing a gathering of more than 500 craftsmen and women from all parts of the country at the Mihilaka Medura at the BMICH, he said by upgrading capacity building through workshops like this would enable the crafts persons to improve the quality of their products and life too.

He said the National Design Centre along with the National Craft Centre conducts training programs in 132 training centres which improves the skills of craftsmen and enhance the quality of the employable workforce of the country.

The Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Ministry has already started a strategic plan to bring in market oriented environmental friendly products to the world, he noted. Deputy Minister Dissanayaka said the country is enjoying freedom after a 30 year terrorist war and it had become a platform to use everyone's skills for the betterment of the people and the national economy.

He noted that attitudes had to be changed and local products should be valued and encouraged. It is time to get rid of plastics and get closer to environmental friendly creative handicrafts. The workshop Yovun Dethata Diriyak was organized only for 400 people but there were more than 500 craftsmen and women at the premises to learn the new skills from the National Design Centre including those from Jaffna and Anuradhapura.