NE exported Bamboo products of Rs 24.85 Crore last year

Agartala, Mar 12 (UNI) Northeastern states 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, newly appointed Industry and Commerce Minister of sixth Left Front government in Tripura Jitendra Choudhury today said.

He said bamboo and cane products of Northeast states were being exported to countries like Australia, Belgium, Canada, US, Germany, Denmark, France, UK among othera countries by several Indian exporters and the volume had been increasing day by day.

Emphasising 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 and Medium Enterprises Ministry's offer of providing training to the artisans involved in the manufacture of bamboo and cane products in Northeast,'' Mr Choudhury added.

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