Agartala, July 7 (IANS) Tripura’s tea industry is poised for a major boost, with Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 726 crore set to be signed during the Destination Tripura Business Conclave-2026, scheduled for July 9 and 10, officials said on Tuesday.

Government-owned Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) Chairman Samir Ranjan Ghosh announced proposed investments in the tea industry, one of the state’s main organised business sectors.

He said the TTDC would sign MoUs with four investment partners for projects to expand and modernise the state’s tea sector.

According to Ghosh, this would be the first time that the corporation would enter into investment agreements of such a significant financial magnitude.

The planned projects include the establishment of tea blending and packaging units, promotion of organic tea cultivation under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, production and marketing of value-added tea products, development of tea-based eco-tourism projects and a tea museum, besides leasing out or operating TTDC-managed tea gardens under the PPP model.

Ghosh said the proposed investments are expected to usher in a new phase of growth for Tripura’s tea industry by encouraging private-sector participation, enhancing value addition, and improving the state’s presence in domestic and international tea markets.

Expressing optimism about the upcoming Business Conclave, he said the event would open new avenues for the state’s tea sector and help transform it into a vibrant, competitive industry.

He said the proposed projects are expected to generate employment opportunities, promote tourism, strengthen the rural economy and contribute significantly to the state’s overall economic growth.

Currently, Tripura has 54 sprawling tea gardens, including a few run by the state-owned TTDC and the Tripura Cooperative Society, as well as privately owned estates. Around 2,800 small tea growers contribute nearly 30 per cent of the state’s total tea production, which stands at about 90 lakh kilograms annually. More than 60 per cent of this production is presently sold through auction markets outside the state.

Tripura is also set to have its own tea auction centre by next year, a move expected to give a major impetus to the state’s beverages industry.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha earlier said that Tripura aims to attract investment proposals worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore across key sectors during the two-day Destination Tripura Business Conclave-2026, scheduled to begin on July 9.

Ahead of the flagship event, the chief minister chaired a high-level review meeting at the Hapania International Fair Ground auditorium and directed officials to ensure the successful conduct of the conclave, which is being organised on such a large scale for the first time in the state.

Addressing the meeting, Saha stressed the importance of attracting both domestic and foreign investments to generate employment, enhance per capita income and strengthen Tripura’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

He said such business summits play a vital role in accelerating economic growth and transforming the state’s investment landscape.

The chief minister also highlighted that MoUs worth nearly Rs 30,000 crore were signed during last year’s business conclave, of which projects valued at around Rs 8,000 crore have already entered the implementation stage.

–IANS

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