Kolkata, Mar 23 (KNN) The Bengal government is planning to create a branding of Darjeeling tea in order to build a niche market for the tea and tap the international export market in a greater way.

“We are working upon a strategy to have Darjeeling tea packaged and branded in Bengal itself. Now, Darjeeling tea is exported in bulk to many states and also to a number of foreign countries. If we can increase the brand value, we are hopeful that the tea industry will be getting higher premium,” Managing Director of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) said recently.

The WBIDC is in the process of developing a strategy for the branding and will have a separate budget for the new project.

“We will be inviting buyers across the globe to come and visit the tea gardens and get in touch with the tea garden authorities on their own in the form of B2B (Business to Business) meetings,” a senior WBIDC official added, elaborating on the state’s plan The idea of branding Darjeeling tea has cropped up at the two-day business summit in the Hills that concluded on March 14.

Darjeeling annually produces 8.7-9 million kg of tea, the majority of which is exported.