The Union ministry of textiles has sanctioned Rs 18 crores for establishing an apparel and garment making unit at Ampati in Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills district.

The centre has already released Rs 14 crores for the development of the apparel unit’s infrastructure.

Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad Sangma said on Tuesday that the government is creating a unique brand for the state and currently exploring various options for promotion of value chain.

“@TexMinIndia has sanctioned ?18 Cr for the development of an Apparel Unit in #Ampati out of which, ?14 Cr is released for the infrastructure. We are building a unique brand for #Meghalaya & we are exploring options to promote value chain,” Sangma tweeted on Tuesday.

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The apparel that was inaugurated by Union textiles minister Smriti Irani unit in 2017, is the first of its kind in the Northeastern region.

The unit has been set up under the North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) in an area of 45,000 sq feet in Ampati.

Irani had said that the centre is an indication to investors across the country that the Northeastern region is ready for economic engagement and expansion.

Many people are likely to get employed in the centre once it becomes operational.