GUWAHATI: Assam minister industries and commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has called upon industrialists to invest in the state’s rubber sector.
Patowary urged the chairman-cum-managing directors of JK Tyre, Apollo Tyres, CEAT and MRF to invest in Assam as the state enjoys the geographical advantage of accessibility to the South East Asian countries.
“The ongoing project of the Multi-Modal Logistic Park (MMLP) at Jogighopa will boost trade and commerce bringing Bangladesh and neighbouring countries to only three hours travel time from Assam,” the minister stated during a video conference with Union minister of commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal for promoting rubber plantation in India.
The webinar was also attended by chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, chief secretaries, industrial captains and senior officers of the country.
Union minister Goyal thanked the Automotive Tyre Manufactures’ Association (ATMA) for agreeing to invest Rs 1,100 crores for developing plantations in 2,00,000 hectares within a span of five years in Northeast.
Acknowledging the good quality of rubber produced in Northeast, Goyal described the region as an ideal rubber procurement zone.
“Rubber sale at better value in the market encourages better rubber plantation,” said the Union minister.
He urged the Northeast states to work out schemes and coordinate with NABARD for loan assistance to the farmers.
To a query of single window clearance, Patowary stated that Assam believed in ease of doing business through single window clearance.
“Advantage Assam has brought in investments worth Rs 65,000 crore and with the simplified MSME Act, 2020, land bank, industrial corridor, Assam is the next destination for rubber industries to flourish,” the state industry minister added.
He cited the example of Patanjali being given land and power in a record 48 hours’ time while referring to the industry-friendly ecosystem in the state.
Patowary assured full support from the Assam government for promoting large-scale commercial rubber plantations in coordination with the Rubber Board for generating employment and economic growth.
“At present, the total rubber plantation in Assam is 60,000 hectares, of which 26,658.58 hectares is under tapping. With annual rubber production of 31,590 metric tonnes and revenue generation of Rs 427 crore, this sector has provided employment to 2 lakh people,” he said.
The Assam government aims to increase the rubber cultivation from the potential 1.3 lakh hectares to 5 lakh hectares.
He asked the Union government to provide saplings suitable for the climatic condition of the Northeast, planting material and machineries to increase production and improve the livelihood of the people.
“Government of Assam is committed to tap and promote the huge potential of the state’s rubber sector. The industries and commerce department will soon establish nine primary processing centres (PPCs) to promote rubber plantation in the state. Each PPC will cost Rs 50 lakh and 50 per cent subsidy will be provided to rubber farmers.’
Attachments area