Guwahati: The Ministry of Development of North East Region (DoNER) has announced plans to explore opportunities for bamboo in both domestic and overseas markets. Besides promoting bamboo locally, the Ministry will also look for shipping them to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, according to DoNER Secretary Chanchal Kumar.
The ministry will collaborate with e-commerce giant Amazon and two other companies to achieve this goal.
At a recent roadshow in Chennai, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M Scindia highlighted that nearly 38 per cent of the bamboo in India is produced in the North Eastern States, presenting a significant opportunity for the furniture-making industry in Chennai.
Scindia emphasized the potential for end-to-end value processing of bamboo in the region, starting with Tripura and Nagaland.
Secretary Kumar further elaborated on the initiative, stating that the government intends to promote high-quality bamboo products in both domestic and international markets. The collaboration with companies will assist self-help groups in the North East in designing world-class bamboo items and connecting them with end-users.
Kumar noted that after capturing the domestic market, the focus will shift to international markets, with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, and Myanmar being the primary targets. He underlined the significant bamboo resources available in the North East, presenting a substantial opportunity for the furniture industry in Chennai.
Read More: Assam IAS Officer Suspended Following Arrest in Corruption Case