New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) An ambitious and innovative four-year UN project that aims at boosting India’s role as a world leader in the cane and bamboo industry was launched here Wednesday. Mani Shankar Aiyar, union minister for development of northeastern region (Doner), launched the project in the presence of Kandeh Yumkella, director general, UN Industrial Development Organisation (Unido).

The project will be implemented by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), North Eastern Council (NEC), Unido, development commissioner (handicrafts) as well as coordinating agencies, according to a statement released by the UN agency.

The project, costing $2.3 million, will start May 2008. The donor contribution of India towards the project is $1.8 million, while Unido will contribute $196,000, the statement said.

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