Bamboo products of Rs 24.85 cr exported in NE

Agartala, Mar 12: Northeastern sates have exported bamboo products worth Rs 24.85 Crore in 2006-07, which was Rs 17.28 Crore in 2005-06 and Rs 14.18 Crore in 2004-05, said newly appointed Industry and Commerce Minister of sixth left front govt in Tripura Mr Jitendra Choudhury today.

He said that bamboo and cane products of NE states were being exported to countries like Australia, Belgium, Canada, USA, Germany, Denmark, France, UK etc by several Indian exporters and the volume had been increasing day by day. Emphasizing the growth of bamboo industry Mr Choudhury said the main products exported were bamboo bags, flowers, furniture, mats, musical instruments, frames, sport items, cane sticks and other handicraft items, while Tripura shared a substantial business.

"We are in process of taking the full benefit of Micro, Small&Medium Enterprises ministry's offer of providing training to the artisans involved in the manufacture of bamboo and cane products in North-East," Mr Choudhury added.

UNI