North-East emerging a rubber producing hub; plantation planned in 2 lac hectare

Agartala, 10 Dec (KNN) The ‘Destination Tripura – Investment Summit 2021’, a two-day long event is being held at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala from 9th to 10th  December, 2021.

It was inaugurated on Thursday by Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Kumar Deb in the presence of Union Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal joining virtually from New Delhi.

Speaking on the inaugural, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the North-East has potential to emerge as a hub for rubber production. 

“The Central Government has planned rubber plantations on a total of 2 lakh hectares in the NE states over 5 years,” he added. 

Emphasizing on the importance of rubber production, he said Tripura is the second largest producer of rubber in the country with 30,000 hectare cultivation.

The Minister called upon the State Government to be the first off the block and take advantage as the early harvester to expand rubber plantations in the state, said the press release.

Over the past five years, four major tyre companies represented by Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) have together undertaken to contribute INR1,000 crores for rubber plantation development in 200,000 hectare land in the Seven states of North East India, said the release.

Rubber Board and ATMA signed a MoU on 1st March 2021, and together transferred INR 12 crore to the account set up by Rubber Board on 20 May 2021.

Funds provided by the tyre companies are being used for procuring planting materials for commencing planting in 2021.

Observing that Bamboo cultivation is another major resource in the North East region, Union Minister Goyal said Tripura is home to the largest bamboo flooring unit. “Tripura has the potential to emerge as the country’s hub of Agarbatti Industry and make India Aatmanirbhar in Bamboo, often called as Green Gold, Industry,” he said.

He also applauded the development journey of Tripura under the able leadership of the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb.

“The state government has been working tirelessly giving priority to 3 ‘N’s in administration, namely Niyat, Niti & Niyam,” said Shri Goyal, adding, “Tripura is the 4th literate state in the NE, has a thriving handlooms industry, 1.36 lakh weavers in Tripura, Tripura jackfruit has been exported to London,” added the Commerce Minister.

Explaining the steps taken by the government to develop north east, he further said, the Centre is encouraging usage of Agro-textiles & Geotechnical textiles in the NE region through its dedicated schemes.

“With improved connectivity through Air, Rail, Road & Waterways, the so called geographical isolation of the State is a thing of the past. The state is an integral part of multimodal connectivity now,” he said.

He also highlighted the significance of the cross-border Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) rail project worth INR 972 crore which will help promote exports.

“With Agartala airport emerging as the 2nd busiest airport in the NE region, Tripura will act as a Gateway to the North East,” he said.

Lauding the state government’s initiatives for Investment Promotion including the single window portal- SWAAGAT, Capital subsidy (30%), Power subsidy (50%), full reimbursement of State GST and 4% interest subvention, he Goyal termed it as “one of best investment packages in the country.” Stating that the Investment Summit will help Tripura realise its true potential.