North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) will be establishing a Ashtlaxmi Haat & Experience Centre at Guwahati to provide a market access to artisans of all Northeast states. The Ministry of Development of North-East Region (MDoNER) informed that the project will cost Rs 7.6 crore and will have 24 permanent stalls the Haat will have an artisan residency to provide accommodation to artisans from out station.

NEHHDC is an organization that attempts to develop and promote the indigenous crafts of the region by connecting craftsmen to prospective markets and consumers and generating economic, cultural and social opportunities for creators while adding cultural value for consumers.

The organization procures varied handicrafts and handlooms from artisans and weavers across the eight North East states and retails the same. Moreover, it promotes the products at various National and International Markets through exhibitions and trade fairs. The Corporation also conducts training programmes and seminars for skill and knowledge upgradation of the artisans and weavers.

NEHHDC is also providing market development by way of digitalization, authentication and traceability covering 10,000 weavers across seven states (excluding Sikkim) with a project cost Rs 14.92 crore. This intervention will increase in the income of weavers by 20-30 per cent in the next 2-3 years. Over 10,000 active looms weavers have been identified and registered from the seven states for this project.

Further, MDoNER has announced that NEHHDC will be setting up an ERI silk spinning plant at Integrated Textile Park, Mushalpur, Baksa (Assam) with a Project cost Rs 14.92 crore. The Corporation has also received sanction for the establishment of Jewellery and Handicraft Incubation Centre in NEHHDC under the ASPIRE Scheme of Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India with a budget out lay of Rs 1.9 crore, the Ministry said.