Local textile industries will receive preferential treatment in supplying materials for school uniforms in 2010, sources at the Ministry of Textile Industries Department said.

A total of eight million meters of white material, two and a half million meters of White and Blue Trouser Materials and Two Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Meters of Materials for Robes is estimated as the country’s total need for school uniforms.

Seven SME industries have been selected to produce at total capacity. However local production, both for weaving and finishing is expected to be slightly in excess of six million meters. A shortfall of four and a half million meters has to be obtained from foreign suppliers.

In an attempt to further develop capacity of local textile industries, the imported fabric will be unbleached material to be finished locally. Such a decision taken according to the concept of the Mahinda Chinthanaya will also result in the saving of foreign exchange, due to a favourable price payable for same.

In order to build consistency in quality of the locally produced fabric, such production will be strictly supervised and quality tested by the textile training service centre, the sources said.

Commercial viability of the local industries has also been ensured based on attractive rates. Weaving of fabric for shirting, white trouser material and blue trouser material will paid for at Rs. 87.50, Rs. 139.50 and Rs. 151.00 per meter respectively. Finishing of the above varieties will cost a further sum of rupees 82.00 130.00 and 140.00 respectively.

Finishing of materials for robes will be paid for at Rs. 80.00 per meter, while packing for distribution will be paid for at Rs. 7.00 per paccket.