SHILLONG: The tasty Pran products of Bangladesh have attracted the consumers in Meghalaya.
However, unlike Tripura, Meghalaya is yet to allow setting up a unit to expand the distribution of the much sought after products.
The general manager of Bangladesh-based Pran beverages SK Roy has said that though he has plans to invest in Meghalaya, the ‘state is not prepared for it’.
When asked to elaborate on how the state is unprepared, Roy told The Shillong Times over phone that there are hurdles for outsiders in the state.
“Our non-Khasi employees who work at the grassroots level in Meghalaya do not have access to many parts of the state,” he said.
Roy, whose Pran products include biscuits and fruit drinks are extensively sold in local markets here. He also said that the previous government had assured him all support. “Ultimately, nothing happened,” he added.
The entrepreneur is hopeful that the Conrad Sangma-government would work sincerely and address the contentious issues.
For now, Pran is planning to source raw materials, like Lakadong turmeric and tapioca, from Meghalaya. “We have started our ground work. But the whole process will take some time,” said Roy.
In the North East, Pran has its unit at in Tripura.
PRAN was established in 1981 and five years after inception, it diversified “through contract farming, with the coordination of AMCL (Agriculture Marketing Company Limited)”, read its website. It was the brainchild of late entrepreneur Amjad Khan Chowdhury.
In Meghalaya, among the popular products of PRAN are litchi drink, sweet toast, dry toast and potato crackers. Most of the shop owners The Shillong Times spoke to said that the products are all in demand. “In fact, people prefer PRAN toasts to other Indian brands,” said a shop owner in the city.
Ajanta Kar, who has been selling PRAN products for more than five years said that the demand has only increased over the years.
Tanya Sinha, who was buying the company’s litchi drink for her toddler, said her son “likes it somehow”.
“Even I like it to be honest. And something that I like about this drink is that it refreshes you after a long walk unlike other drinks I have tasted so far. It’s also cheap,” said the 30-year-old mother.
PRAN sells beverages, biscuits and bakery, dairy products, snacks and frozen food, among others.
The Bangladeshi company has a strong presence in other parts of the country as well including the Gulf and African countries.
