ATTRACTIVENESS OF BELL METAL INDUSTRY IN ASSAM: A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SATHEBARI AREA IN ASSAM

Bell Metal industry is one of the traditional industries in Assam. Bell metal products hold a special status in Assamese society due to its origin from ancient times. The demand of bell metal industry is not only concentrated in Assam but also in other states and countries. But despite of this, the industry is facing problems which are hampering its development. The manufacturing of bell metal products are mostly done in Sarthebari and Hajo area of Assam. Moreover, the skill of manufacturing bell metal products is hereditary. So the production is limited to specific areas in Assam. This adds to the low expansion of the bell metal market. Therefore, the present study analyzes the attractiveness of the bell metal industry which will influence future entrepreneurs to enter into the industry. The attractiveness of the bell metal industry in Assam has been measured by Porter's five forces model and SWOT analysis by taking opinions from 180 entrepreneurs who has set up their manufacturing units in Sarthebari, Assam