Industry

Mizoram continues to remain an industrially backward State. The disadvantages due to topographical and geographical condition of the State couple with underdeveloped infrastructure and transport bottleneck are the main hurdles for the first generation entrepreneurs of the State to transform the State toward industrialization. The growth performance of the manufacturing sector has bee poor. The share of manufacturing sector (both registered and unregistered) to the total State GSDP could marginally increased from 1.2 % at the beginning of 10^th Five Year Plan to 1.5 % at the terminal year (2006-07). During the last three years of the 11^th Five Year Plan the share for the same is estimated to hover around 1.7 % only. The pattern of industrial development is not in conformity with the standard development historical trend. Industrialization is yet to take off in the State.

Small Scale Industries:

There is very little scope for either medium or large scale industrial units and as such small industries dominate the industrial scenario acquiring a prominent place in the Socio-Economic development of the State. Special efforts need to be made for their expansion and growth. The total number of small scale unit registered upto 2009-10 was 7,888. During 2009-10, 457 nos of small scale industrial units were registered with an investment of Rs. 1978.29 lakhs an generating 3977 employment.

Growth of Small Scale Industries:

Source: Economic Survey Mizoram 2010-11

With the objective of promoting industries in rural areas the State Government is presently running two numbers of common facility centres and one RIDC with an intake capacity of 35 trainees.

Industrial Infrastructure:

The State Government, with its limited resources and with fund through CSS has established and developed industrial area/estate and provided basic infrastructure. Plots will be allocated to various viable industrial units of public and private sector.

Different industrial areas and their respective status:

Source: Economic Survey Mizoram 2010-11

Zoram Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (ZIDCO):

The sole industrial development is taking part in building up of industrial infrastructure and financing industrial units. ZIDCO is the refinancing agent of SIDBI NMDC and other financial institutions. Generation of power through coal block construction of Industrial Estate at Zote, Champhai District is being taken up by ZIDCO.

Handlooms & Handicraft:

The State has a distinctive advantage in handloom and handicraft, this area needs to be further exploited for generating employment and income. Women folks of Mizoram are gifted with high proficiency and skill in the making of traditional clothing with the latest fashion and design having a high demand within the State as well as amongst neighboring States.

The Handloom is thriving very well in the private sectors, most of the traditional loin loom has been replaced by Zo-loom and fly shuttle looms due to its higher working capacity. Upto 2008-09 there were 750 units providing employment to 4700 persons, and 182 nos of Handloom and weaving Societies registered under State Government. The State Government also is presently running 3(three) handloom training centres at Aizawl, Lunglei and Saiha.
 

ZOHANDCO, a State Government undertaking is implementing the Tribal Handloom Development Project by way of providing necessary raw-materials to the weavers and marketing the finished products.

Handicrafts from Mizoram has a ready market, and is in good progress in the private sector. The State Government is also giving its effort towards development of this small but potential industry which is practically based on the locally available resources such as bamboos and woods. A cluster approach is being initiated for selected items like Khumbeu, Faikhiat, Thul etc. to ensure production on commercial scale.

Bamboo-based industries:

Mizoram alone contributes 14 per cent of the country’s growing stock of bamboo covering 49.10 per cent of the state’s geographical area. The vast bamboo resources are becoming the income earner for the State. Important initiative being taken are as follows:

1. Establishment of Bamboo Chipping Cluster: The sale of raw bamboo without value addition as raw materials for paper mill will be replaced by supply of bamboo chips with value addition and employment generation in the chipping process has been started. Nine chipping units at strategic locations viz - Chuhvel, Bungthuam, Dapchhuah, Falkawn, Maubuang, Bairabi, Hortoki, Chhingchhip and Tuirini had been set up and will be operational soon. These units are expected to generate good numbers of direct and indirect employment.

2. Agarbati Stick Making Unit: This sector had been taken up in decentralized mode, integrated at the market level. Many families started engaging themselves in the production of square agarbati stick. Their products are exported outside the state through marketing facilitators. This sector will give employment to weaker section of the society and this activity is included as one of the activities in the NLUP.

3. Production of Bamboo Construction Materials: The highest value addition of bamboo is manufacturing of construction materials such as Bamboo Mat, Board, Mat ply, bamboo scantling, etc. These units had a good number of market demand in and outside the state. These units are generating a good number of direct and indirect employments. There are few number of units already established and many more units are expected to come up in the near future. The following are units already established and under construction:

(a) M/S Zonun Mat Ply, Lengpui

(b) M/S CeeKee Bamboo and Wood Products, Thingdawl

(c) M/S Grace RTP, Bualpui

(d) M/S Nutech Bamboo, Kolasib District.

4. Revival of Mizoram Venus Bamboo: The Government of Mizoram had taken initiative to revive the joint venture unit of Mizoram Venus Bamboo products Pvt. Ltd, Sairang. This is a joint venture unit between Government of Mizoram and Venus Company, Kolkata. This unit is designed to produce different kinds of construction and intermediate materials using bamboo as its main raw materials.

5, Bamboo Development Agency (BDA): The Bamboo Development Agency since its inception in the year 2002 has been engaged in various activities for the Development of Bamboo sector in the State. BDA is the state agency to carry out the vision for development of bamboo processing industry in the state and to create necessary infrastructure for bamboo processing Industries. BDA is presently implementing the “Bamboo Technology Park” project funded by Planning Commission (Govt. of India) and NEC.

Source: Economic Survey Mizoram 2010-11