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Chief minister TR Zeliang and other dignitaries during the NBDA 9th governing body meeting at chief minister’s residential office on November 28. (Photo Courtesy: CMO)[/caption]
Dimapur, Nov. 28 (EMN): State chief minister TR Zeliang has mooted inviting investors to set up bamboo processing plant in the state saying such initiative would boost the local economy as well as create avenues for employment.
Zeliang said this at the 9th governing body meeting of Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) held at the chief minister’s residential office on November 28. The chief minister and chairman of the governing body have called for reformation in NBDA for over-all improvement in the marketing sector.
‘Since massive bamboo plantation is taking place, marketability of the same has to be taken into account,’ a CMO press release stated quoting the chief minister.
NBDA has been carrying out bamboo plantation covering all the 11 districts in the State through the participation of village councils, farmers, SHGs, individuals and societies. However, marketing of raw materials and its end-products remained a challenge.
The huge cost incurred to transport bamboos from interior districts of the State to processing plants in neighbouring states leave the Government with scanty profit even as local traders go running at a loss, many a times.
Taking into consideration of the problems, the chief minister said ‘We must bring in Investors for setting up processing plants instead of sending our raw materials outside which becomes expensive comparatively due to transportation cost.’
While soliciting investors in setting up small scale industries for bamboo processing in the State, Zeliang said that such initiative would boost the local economy and also create avenues for employment.
‘Companies can be invited to set up mini-plants and small scale industries for processing bamboo locally,’ he added.
Matter relating to the governing body meeting of NBDA held on October 3, 2016, was tabled, while a power point presentation on the activities and achievements of NDMA was presented by Team Leader, Peter Lichamo.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the US company- CG Global LLC (TCG) and Mumbai based NavrattanBlue Crete Industries Pvt. Ltd. called on the chief minister at his residential office to explore possibilities to invest in energy sector with latest technology which would not only generate green energy but also manage the municipal solid waste in the cities.
After the slide presentation on the technology, the delegation and government official discussed in detail on the nitty-gritty and feasibility of the operation, cost of production and draft MoU.
The investment would require some acres of land, solid wastes and government logistic support for 450 crore rupees proposed project in Nagaland, it was informed.
As the meeting could not come to term on rates, the chief minister suggested more meetings be held to study the advantages and disadvantages of the US technology.
The delegation was led by US businessman Julius and the chairman and managing director of Navrattan, HimanshuVerma.