Guwahati, July 2 (KNN) With the aim to develop the spices industry in the northeastern region, the Assam government in association with the Spices Board is planning to setup a Quality Evaluation Laboratory and Training Centre for spices in Guwahati.

While inaugurating the International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) and Spices Conclave, the Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “that the state being the gateway of northeast India, with better connectivity and fast-developing infrastructural facilities can leverage its potential for becoming a major hub for post-harvest processing and value addition of spices fr0m the region and one of the major exporting hubs.”

The International Buyer Seller Meet held in Guwahati aims to create direct trade links for the indigenous, high-quality spices of the region with both national and international buyers. 

Sarma emphasised on the steps being taken by the state government to make the best use of schemes like PM-DevlNE, One District One Product and to convert the 'by-default organic' tag of spices to 'certified organic' or "organic by design.

The spice sellers fr0m Assam and the other seven northeastern states participated in the two-day IBSM and spices conclave.

During his address at the inaugural ceremony, spices board secretary D. Sathiyan said “IBSM and Spices Conclave is envisaged to promote the indigenous spices of the eight northeastern states, especially the GI tagged varieties of Sikkim's Large Cardamom, Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger, Naga Mircha, Bird's Eye Chilli (Mizo Chilli), Hathei Chilly and Dalle Khursani.”

More than 50 buyers attended the inaugural day of the IBSM fr0m different parts of Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. (KNN Bureau)