Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for self-reliant India, the state government is working towards a self-reliant Tripura. Emphasis is placed on setting up industries to build a self-reliant state. For this purpose, several initiatives have been taken in the last few years for the development of agar, bamboo and other minor forest resources in the state.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said this while inaugurating four-day round table meeting on Forest and Agro Forest Value Chain Development at Hotel Polo Tower on Wednesday evening. Entrepreneurs from outside the state participated in this round table meeting organized by the Department of Industries and Commerce. Inaugurating the round table meeting, the Chief Minister also said that forests and forest-based resources play an important role in the economic development of the state. Our state is rich in diverse natural and forest resources. Agar industry has considerable potential in the economic development of the state. Tripura Agar Wood Policy was launched in July 2021. This policy outlines the development of agar sector in the state. Agar plant registration process has been simplified to expand agar industry. In addition, the central government has also notified the state quota for the export of agar products. As a result industrial entrepreneurs can definitely come to Tripura to set up agar based industries.

The Chief Minister said that the state received the gift of HIRA due to the sincere efforts of  the Prime Minister.  As  a result, the state currently has a great improvement in  the communication system through internet, rail, road and air. With the sincere efforts of the Prime Minister, the state has now become the third highest internet gateway in the country. Due to the development of rail communication, 12 express trains are currently plying from the state to different parts of the country. Agartala's Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport has also become one of the most important airports among the North Eastern states. All these have been made possible by the efforts of the central and state double engine government. Chief Minister said that bamboo is one of the important resources of the state. Currently 29 species of bamboo are available in the state. In the last few years special emphasis has been given to afforestation of various commercially important bamboo species with a view to expanding bamboo and bamboo-based industries in the state.

Bamboo is exempted from transit permit required within the state. The Forest department and Tripura Bamboo Mission are making continuous efforts to keep the reputation of Tripura intact in the country in incense stick sector. Besides, the government has also given importance to reducing bamboo waste and promoting products like bamboo briquettes, activated charcoal etc.

The Chief Minister said that tourism is an important sector in the economic development of the state. For the development of tourism, the state government has given special importance to the development of eco-tourism. A new company called Tripura Nature Trails and Resources Limited has been appointed to develop eco-tourism in Sepahijala and Gomati sanctuaries. The Chief Minister urged the industrialists to come forward to set up industries in the state based on all the facilities that the state government has introduced for setting up industries.

Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma said on the occasion that the state has bright potential to set up industries through various natural resources such as rubber, bamboo, agar etc. There is also a possibility of setting up fruit processing industry in the state based on queen pineapple and jackfruit. Currently, due to the improvement of the communication system of the state, foreign investors are showing interest in setting up industries in the state. In this case, the state government has also made arrangements to create necessary environment for setting up industry. Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce Department K.S Shetty, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest V.G Jenner, Director of Industries and Commerce Department Vishwasree B and others also spoke on the occasion.