The Department of Industries & Commerce in association with Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC) launched the Buyers & Suppliers Meet 2025 at Bamboo Hall, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, Kohima on December 4. The two day Meet commenced after a short official launching programme with Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu as the Special Guest.
Speaking at the launching programme, Hekani expressed her honour in joining the inaugural Buyers & Suppliers Meet 2025 under the RAMP Project of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India and welcomed the buyers, industry leaders and entrepreneurs, noting their shared commitment to strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem and showcasing Nagaland’s vibrant enterprises.
She highlighted Nagaland as the Land of Festivals, where culture and craftsmanship inspire innovation. The state’s weavers, artisans, farmers, food processors and start-ups, she said, embody resilience, creativity and the enduring Naga spirit.
She emphasized that the Meet is more than a marketplace saying it is a catalyst for collaboration and long-term partnerships. With twenty-four buyers from across India and twenty-two MSMEs from Nagaland, the event offers a strong opportunity to build a lasting, scalable relationships.
She further acknowledged the presence of distinguished industry leaders, noting that their engagement reflects growing national recognition of Nagaland’s authenticity and potential. She stressed that connecting small businesses to strong market networks creates significant economic and social impact.
She also outlined sectors where Nagaland holds competitive strength—artisanal fruit beverages, herbal and organic teas, diverse food-processing products, and eco-friendly handicrafts and handloom items—each reflecting quality, sustainability and cultural identity.
She noted that the Meet can transforms cultural richness into market opportunity and supports sustainable livelihoods. The Government, she said, aims to enhance MSME competitiveness, enable market access and integrate Nagaland’s products into wider value chains. Beyond institutional goals, she underscored the importance of a spirit of collaboration, with buyers as mentors and partners, and entrepreneurs as innovators eager to evolve. She expressed hoped that the Meet would lead to confirmed orders, distributor links, export opportunities and greater confidence among entrepreneurs.
Hekani concluded by urging participants to co-create opportunities and envision new markets and products. She thanked buyers, entrepreneurs and the organizing teams, and formally declared the Buyers–Suppliers Meet 2025 open, wishing all participants meaningful interactions and successful partnerships.
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Secretary, Industries & Commerce Kumar, Ramnikant, IAS in his keynote address noted that the Meet, held under the Government of India’s RAMP project, is a strategic step toward turning policy into partnership and potential into prosperity. He highlighted Nagaland’s cultural richness and entrepreneurial spirit, stressing that the state is not merely a source of raw materials but a centre of innovation rooted in tradition. Its strengths, from skilled artisans to unique products like King Chilli and herbal teas, form a distinctive competitive advantage.
He added that strengths alone are not enough, sustainable market linkages are essential. He explained that the Government is working to foster long-term strategic partnerships, positioning buyers as collaborators in shaping quality standards, design and scalable production. Aligning with national frameworks like RAMP, he said, helps remove barriers, expand financial access and create conditions for innovation.
Addressing entrepreneurs, he encouraged them to use the platform as a springboard—engaging openly, telling the stories behind their products and learning from market feedback. To buyers, he urged them to look beyond transactions and explore exclusive product lines, ethical sourcing and long-term procurement opportunities. He stated that the Meet’s success will lie not only in MoUs or immediate orders but in the relationships built, supply chains established and confidence gained by local enterprises.
In conclusion, he expressed optimism that today’s dialogues would evolve into enduring partnerships that strengthen Nagaland’s MSMEs and contribute to India’s economic growth.
Director Industries & Commerce, P Tokugha Sema acknowledged the presence of 24 distinguished buyers from reputed firms such as Eyaas, Brahmaputra Fables, Rural Delight and Universe Export, whose participation reflects growing national recognition of Nagaland’s identity-driven products. He also acknowledged the 22 MSMEs from Nagaland—artisans, food processors, farmer-led units and micro-enterprises, whose work showcases the state’s craftsmanship and innovation.
He stated that the areas of buyer interest, including handloom, handicrafts, home decor, artisanal foods, herbal teas and processed products, align closely with local strengths. The platform, he said, provides opportunities for product evaluation, discussions on supply terms and alignment with market standards.
He emphasized that the Meet is a strategic market-linkage initiative designed to prepare MSMEs for integration into national value chains and enhance competitiveness. He added that the Meet will also offer entrepreneurs valuable market insights and support long-term networking for sustainable growth.
The two day Meet will feature Panel Discussions, Sector Pitch Sessions and B2B Meet.
