Sonowal inaugurates bamboo technology park in Assam

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today inaugurated a Bamboo Technology Park here in Kamrup district with an investment of Rs 62.28 crore.
"The Northeast region accounts for 66 per cent of India's bamboo and is cultivated in homesteads, village gardens, agricultural lands and field boundaries," Sonowal said during the inauguration at industrial growth centre in Chaygaon.
"There are hundreds of MSME's (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) with thousands of artisans that produce incense sticks and bamboo handicraft products. Two very large paper plants are in Assam that use bamboo as raw material," Sonowal said.
The park has been set up at the initiative of Industries and Commerce department with the help from Union Department of Industrial Policy and promotion through a Special Purpose Vehicle of Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and private entrepreneurs.

"The primary objective of the project is to provide infrastructure facilities to bamboo entrepreneurs against payment of user charge," the chief minister said.
Assam industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, who was present on the occasion, said, "Assam is the highest bamboo-producing state, but we are yet to use it commercially up to the optimum level. This park is the first step of the government towards harnessing the potential of bamboo."
"The park will act as an institution by introducing the latest technologies in bamboo processing, skill building, employment generation and changing the economic and industrial scenario of the entire state," he said.