20,000 benefit from MSME development in North East

The Regional Resource Centre for Cluster Development (RRC) of the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati (an organisation which is under the Union ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises) is implementing several MSME clusters in different trades in the north-east.

The RRC was set up by the ministry of MSME in 2008 with the prime mandate of developing micro and small industry clusters in the north-eastern region. Since its inception, more than 20,000 people have been benefited under the cluster development programme.

Among the more notable clusters are the Bairabi bamboo cluster and the Baktawang wood carpentry cluster, both in Mizoram; the Bogulamari jute cluster, the Dhamdhama handloom cluster and the Pyranga Eri cluster, all in Assam; Greater Imphal jewellery cluster and the Kouna cluster, both in Manipur; the Tawang carpet cluster in Arunachal Pradesh; and the Umden Eri cluster in Meghalaya.

 

The bamboo-based products of Bairabi comprise home décor items, baskets, chip board/ply, blinds, furniture and cane hats. Assam’s Bogulamari jute cluster manufactures jute products such as bags, hats, doormats, wall hangings, toys and fruit baskets. The Dhamdhama handloom cluster produces a variety of traditional handloom wear. The Pyranga Eri cluster in Assam specialises in the rearing, weaving and spinning of Eri silk. Its product range comprises yarn, sheets, mufflers, stoles and dress material.