Tripura Bamboo Mission (TBM) organized an “Interactive Meet” with the Bamboo Products Manufacturing Units of Tripura on 20th April 2023 at Conference Hall, BCDI, Lichubagan, Agartala to review the functioning of the units and their difficulties in running the bamboo based units in the state.

The programme was attended by 75  owners of bamboo based enterprises and the said program was inaugurated by Industries and commerce Minister  Santana Chakma, in presence of Sports and Youth Affairs Minister  Tinku Roy,  Nabadal Banik, Chairman, Tripura Industrial Development Corporation Ltd., Smt. Vishwasree B, Director, I&C cum Mission Director, Tripura Bamboo Mission. Experiences of the entrepreneurs/ Bankers were shared in the house to facilitate others as well as aspiring new entrepreneurs in this sector and in the course of discussion the entrepreneurs opined that units are facing difficulties for selling of their Mechanized Agarbatti sticks to the Bangalore based companies. It has also been opined by them that Chinese enterprises involved in Agarbatti stick making activities are incentivized once the Govt. of India enhances the import duty on Agarbatti sticks from 15% to 25%. Sri Tinku Roy, Hon’ble Minister, Sports and Youth Affairs stressed upon formation of a platform/ organization to solve the issues jointly as well as bringing issues concerning their production units to the notice of both Union and State Govt.

Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, opined the entrepreneurs to explore possibilities to ensure zero wastage of the raw material used to ascertain better profitability as in practice in other prominent countries, competitors of Indian bamboo based industries. The other bamboo based activities planned by the State Govt. with financial support of the Union Govt. were highlighted by the Minister so as to get back the glory for the state of Tripura as leader in this sector in our country. The other dignitaries, officials from BCDI-NECTAR, NEC- BDC, Guwahati and representative of Deputy Commissioner (Handicrafts) remained present in the said interactive meet apart from District Level officials of Industries Department.

Finally, the entrepreneurs attended today’s interactive meet formed an organization in the name of All Tripura Bamboo Products Manufacturers Organization(ATBPMO) including nomination of office bearers of the organization to resolve issues of units relates to entire value chain of the Bamboo sector in the state and to appraise the latest technology in this sector among their fellow members.