Guwahati: The Northeast Bamboo Conclave 2025, held in Guwahati on Thursday, brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and innovators to set a strategic vision for the region’s bamboo sector, with a focus on investments, CSR initiatives and building a bio-economy rooted in sustainability.
Organised by the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) in partnership with the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and the National Bamboo Mission (NBM), the conclave coincided with World Bamboo Day and carried the theme ‘Promoting Investments, CSR and Bio-Economy’.
Inaugurating the conclave, NECBDC Managing Director M.C. Omi Ningshen said the event was “not just a discussion platform but a movement” to unlock the potential of bamboo for green growth, livelihoods and economic prosperity.
He emphasised that traditional knowledge combined with modern technology and market-driven approaches could create a globally competitive bamboo sector.
The day-long programme featured technical sessions and a high-level panel on achieving a “Viksit Bamboo Sector for Viksit Northeast by 2047”.
Presentations highlighted the bamboo value chain, opportunities under the National Bamboo Mission, and global demand for bamboo-based products.
Success stories from the region showcased how local innovation and entrepreneurship are driving sustainable growth.
Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the conclave, including agreements with Numaligarh Refinery and SELCO Foundation for CSR-led initiatives, as well as collaborations with IIT Guwahati and the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
NECBDC also highlighted its recent MoU with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) to develop indigenous bamboo processing technologies.
Industry experts from Amazon, Bamboostan, the Assam State Bamboo Mission and others engaged in discussions on MSME promotion, export linkages and sustainable value chains.
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The concluding panel brought together institutions including NEC, NEHHDC, FICCI, SIDBI and NID to outline pathways for investment, innovation and convergence.
The conclave also spotlighted recent milestones, including the inauguration of Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited — India’s first bio refinery producing fuel-grade ethanol from bamboo — by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and investment intent from All Time Plastics, an IKEA partner, to set up a unit for engineered bamboo wood in the region.
By the close of the event, participants reaffirmed the Northeast’s central role in India’s bamboo strategy, envisioning the sector as a key driver of environmental sustainability, employment generation and regional development.
