Tripura to start exporting bamboo tiles to European market

The northeast has vast reserves of bamboo which if utilized properly can boost the state's economy, besides providing employment to many people. A first-of-its-kind, a bamboo tiles factory set up here will soon start producing and exporting tiles to the European market.

A Mumbai-based company, Mutha Industries Private Limited, said that it had set up a factory in western Tripura to make bamboo floor tiles, and will soon start exporting them to European countries.

The factory, set up at the bamboo park in Bodhjunjnagar Industrial Growth Centre, is the first of its kind in the country.

Production has already started in the plant and in the next three months international standard commercial production will start.

Technologies and machinery from foreign countries are being used in the unit and the employees have been trained by overseas trainers. There is a huge demand for bamboo floor tiles in the outside market.

"We have started with bamboo wood flooring whose look and feel is exactly like hard wood flooring but it's many times better. The most important thing is that it is an eco-friendly product," said Sanjoy Singh, Assistant General Manager

The Government of Tripura started developing India's first bamboo park five years ago in order to give a boost to bamboo-based industries.

This unit has come has a boon for a large number of people by providing them employment opportunities.

The company also plans to expand bamboo plantation in the state so as to get the required raw material and also provide employment to the bamboo farmers.

"After Mutha industries started buying bamboo the farmers are highly benefited as now they can sell the bamboo. We collect bamboos from every corner and supply them here. The farmers have benefited after installation of the company as they are no more worried about selling their products," said Manju Debbarma, a bamboo supplier.

"Many local youths have got employment here and supporting their family from what they earn. We took training here and also got jobs," added Kartik Debnath, a worker.

With the decline of insurgency, many investors are now expressing interest in setting up industries in the state. There is a huge potential for export of bamboo products to international markets and the sector can generate jobs, and good revenue for the state.

The Northeast has huge reserves of bamboo, which is known as "Green Gold" of the region.

There are at least ten varieties of bamboo available in Tripura and approximately 145 in the entire country.