Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Monday said the Centre’s ban on the import of bamboo sticks will benefit the state’s bamboo industry.
“This decision will re-boost value addition activities of bamboo in the state,” Deb said while interacting with the media in Agartala.
“The state’s economy will receive a massive boost due to this ban,” he further said.
Tripura is one of the largest bamboo producers in the country.
The bamboo sticks of the sate are immensely popular and Tripura supplies 90 per cent bamboo stick to the incense stick making factories.
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Deb further informed that Tripura’s bamboo stick production suffered in the last 5-7 years as the Centre made import of incense sticks import free.
“This helped China and Vietnam to capture the Indian market and many persons involved with the industry in Tripura had to quit their profession,” Deb further said.
“Decision to ban the import of bamboo stick will help Tripura’s bamboo industry, even though the government will lose foreign currency,” Deb said.
The CM also appealed the state’s artisans to restart making bamboo sticks and assured full government support to them.
“An incense stick factory can also be established in Tripura and the products can be marketed in Bangladesh,” Biplab Kumar Deb further said.