The Government of Nagaland along with the Ministry of DoNER, Government of India hosted the State Round Table of the North East Global Investors Summit, 2023 at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima, Nagaland on Saturday.
Ahead of the State Round Table, a closed-door meeting was held on Friday chaired by Chief Secretary of Nagaland, J Alam, IAS where he highlighted 18 identified potential areas including food processing and agro-produce, sericulture production, mineral-based industries, tourism, handloom and handicraft, floriculture, and bamboo-based industries being some of them, stated a press release from DIPR.
Alam also presented an overview of Nagaland, on facts and figures of Nagaland, and highlighted major projects that are ongoing and in the pipeline.
During the meeting, the investors were introduced to various government departments to explore ways for collaboration and partnership. The investors also met with the line departments to discuss specific areas in which the investors expressed willingness to invest.
Some prospective sectors covered include solar energy, marketing agro produce particularly millets, skill development in aviation among others.
Several challenges and constraints unique to the State were also pointed out, out of which the State’s land holding system, the need for the development of border areas, power deficit among the other infrastructural, human resource, and credit-related issues were mentioned.
The need to provide credit for entrepreneurs, and the creation of Northeast-specific schemes and credit facilities, guidelines, and policies that will suit the needs of the Northeast were discussed.
Some of the recommended areas highlighted by the participants at the closed-door meeting were the feasibility and the potential of exploring the extraction of pineapple fibre, plug-and-play facilities, setting up of hotels, agro-based processing centres, storage facilities.
Lok Ranjan, Secretary, MDoNER while concluding the meeting encouraged the State to proactively explore investment opportunities and provide an ecosystem and service conducive to investment. The Secretary also highlighted that there is an ever-growing aspiration of our people, especially the youth, and these aspirations must be catered to by the State Government and efforts made to meet these needs.
He challenged the State to develop a culture of healthy competition to keep pace with other states.
