Tripura has immense potential in manufacturing, logistics due to strategic location: Goyal

Agartala, Jul 9 (PTI) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said Tripura has immense potential to emerge as a manufacturing and logistics hub because of its strategic location and connectivity with Bangladesh. Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day 'Destination Tripura: Business Conclave-2026' virtually from New Delhi, Goyal said the northeastern state has undergone significant transformation over the past decade under the Centre's Act East Policy. "Tripura has unlimited possibilities in the manufacturing and logistics sector because of its strategic location, surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides. The state should leverage its strengths to promote exports of MSME products, and the Commerce Ministry will extend all possible support," he said. Tripura shares an 856-km international border with Bangladesh, while Sabroom in South Tripura is located about 75 km from Bangladesh's Chittagong Port. Goyal said the state's business environment has improved significantly with the development of highways, inland waterways, railways and air connectivity under the Centre's HIRA (Highways, Internet, Railways and Airways) model. "Tripura lacked basic infrastructure for business a decade ago, but the overall scenario has changed after implementation of the HIRA model," he said. He said projects such as the Agartala-Akhaura rail link and the Maitri Setu connecting Sabroom with Bangladesh have enhanced Tripura's connectivity and strengthened its potential as a trade gateway to Southeast Asian countries. Goyal said Tripura's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has increased from Rs 19,208 crore in 2011-12 to around Rs 90,000 crore in 2024-25. He also pointed to the state's abundant natural resources, including rubber, bamboo, agarwood and tea, as key advantages for industrial development. Welcoming around 1200 business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors, Chief Minister Manik Saha said the state expects to sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth around Rs 1 lakh crore during the two-day conclave. "Our strategic location, the Agartala-Akhaura rail link and the Maitri Setu have positioned Tripura as a gateway to Southeast Asia. We hope the investment proposals translate into projects on the ground and become part of the state's next phase of growth," he said. PTI PS SOM