APEDA organises international conference-cum-buyer seller meet in Agartala

The buyer-seller meet was jointly organised by APEDA, which is under the union ministry of commerce and industry and the government of Tripura.

Twenty international buyers from eight countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Greece, participated in the buyer-seller meet. More than 30 exporters and representatives of FPC/FPO from Tripura, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh also participated. 

APEDA has taken various initiatives to facilitate exports from the region, which has been identified as a major thrust area for increasing agri exports.

Officials from the union agriculture ministry, state government, departments of science and technology, environment and cooperation and department of industries, besides senior officials of North East Frontier Railway (NFR) Airports Authority of India (AAI) attended the opening event.

Tripura is a major producer of commodities like pineapple, ginger, turmeric among horticultural produce as well as aromatic rice, corn and some oilseeds among the agricultural produce and the state government is trying its best to create infrastructure and logistics facilities. With improved rail and road connectivity and the planned cross border connectivity through Bangladesh will open many trade points and provide cost effective transportation. 

Besides, the state government is creating facilities to provide end-to-end value chain for agricultural produce, officials said.

Representatives from NFR and AAI informed about specific initiatives taken up to create facilities for cargo handling. Importers and buyers also showed interest in importing commodities, especially perishable items, from the North East region.