Agartala, February 7:
Riding on a surge of fresh investments and pro-business reforms, Tripura is setting its sights on transforming into an emerging industrial hub, with the state government aiming to double the industry sector’s contribution to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from the current 9 percent to nearly 18 percent over the next four to five years.
The roadmap was outlined on Saturday as Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma inaugurated the state’s first-ever Reverse Buyer–Seller Meet (RBSM) at a city hotel here, in the presence of Industries and Commerce Secretary Kiran Gitte, Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) chairman Samir Ghosh, Rubber Board JRPC N Sali, Director of Industries and Commerce Dr Deepak Kumar and other officials.
Organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce under the World Bank-supported Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, the meet was themed ‘Connecting Markets, Creating Opportunities’ and aimed at strengthening market linkages for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Speaking to reporters in the sidelines of the programme Secretary Kiran Gitte said both the Central and State governments have been consistently working to boost the MSME sector through policy support, funding and reforms.
“The RAMP programme has been implemented in Tripura for the last two years. At the same time, we have undertaken several business reforms. Tripura ranked first in the country in the deregulation exercise, which has helped create an investor-friendly environment,” he said.
Gitte revealed that the state has attracted investments worth ₹8,000–₹9,000 crore over the past three to four years, while projects valued at nearly ₹5,000 crore have been grounded in the last year alone.
“With public funding and private investments moving together, Tripura is witnessing double-digit economic growth. Through initiatives like this buyer–seller meet, we want to handhold MSMEs, build their capacity and help them access new markets,” Gitte added.
The RAMP scheme focuses on expanding MSME coverage, improving practices and processes, fostering innovation, promoting green initiatives, and supporting women-led enterprises, besides enhancing Centre-State collaboration through strategic investment planning.
Minister Santana Chakma described the meet as a step toward making Tripura self-reliant and strengthening its local industries.
“This platform allows buyers and sellers to directly interact and resolve issues. Products manufactured in Tripura can now reach markets across India and even abroad. It is a step towards building a ‘Viksit Tripura’ and contributing to ‘Viksit Bharat’,” she said.
The Minister added that the government is prioritising sectors based on local strengths such as rubber, bamboo, agar, tea, pineapple and other horticultural produce, while new thrust areas like IT, tourism and beauty and wellness are also being developed.
The RBSM saw participation from 30 leading national buyers, reflecting growing confidence in Tripura’s industrial potential. Major companies including CEAT Tyres, JK Tyres, MRF Tyres, ITC, Relaxo, ZED Black, Pran Beverages, Annada Spices Industry and Jay Shree Tea and Industries took part in business-to-business meetings with local manufacturers.
Fifty MSME stalls displayed products across sectors such as rubber, bamboo, handicrafts, tea, food processing and agar.
The programme also featured networking sessions and discussions on sourcing, quality standards and supply chain partnerships.
The initiative is expected to generate new business leads, expand market access and bridge the gap between Tripura’s MSMEs and national buyers.
With sustained reforms for ease of doing business, rising investments and focused sectoral strategies, the state government believes Tripura is on course for accelerated industrial growth, with MSMEs poised to play a key role in employment generation and economic expansion in the coming years.
