The government is working on various schemes for the promotion and development of agar industry in the state. There is a huge potential for expansion of agawood product business and trade in the state. Such conferences will play an important role in the development of the agarwood products. Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said this while inaugurating the 3rd International Conference of Buyer & Seller Meet of Agarwood products at Hotel Polo Tower in Agartala on October 5,2023.

 Inaugurating the conference, the Chief Minister also said that there is a lot of potential for setting up agar-based industries in the state. At present, about 50,000 farmers in the state are involved in agar cultivation. Moreover, many people including businessmen, and officials are directly associated with agarwood industries. So the state government is working earnestly to take Agarwood forward.

Chief Minister Dr Saha in a social media post said that “Tripura has huge potentials in Agar sector & we have been working to fostering collaboration with industry stakeholders to boost trade & investments in this sector. Addressed the 3rd International Buyer Seller Meet of Agarwood Products 'towards Rs. 20 billion economy from Agarwood in the next 5 years' hosted in Agartala this evening.”

Chief Minister said that although there is potential for the development of agar industry in the state, it was neglected in the past. The present state government has formulated the Agarwood Policy for the convenience of traders including agar growers. The implementation of this policy has already started. A tie-up has been made with the Central Skill Development Council for upskilling the agar farmers of the state. Moreover, the state government has also requested the central government to set up agarwood board in the state.

At the conference, Chief Secretary J.K Sinha said that currently there is an industry- friendly environment in the state. As a result, entrepreneurs are showing interest in setting up various industries including agar in the state.

 Along with rubber and bamboo, agar will also play an important role in the economic development of the state.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests KS Shetty said agar is a valuable resource. The state government has given importance to the development of agar for the economic development of the state. In this regard, the Department of Industries and Commerce and the Department of Forests are working jointly.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Praveen Agarwal and Additional Director General of Union Ministry of Forests Dr. SP Yadav spoke among others at the conference. At the beginning of the conference, Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha visited the exhibition stalls of agarwood products from different parts of the state. Altogether 120 representatives from abroad participated in the third international Agarwood products buyer-seller conference. 7 of them are foreign representatives.

 Moreover, representatives of various famous organizations of the country and entrepreneurs attended the conference.