Kohima, 05 April (MTNews): The inaugural session of the fourth and last G20 Business Meet in the North East, focusing on Opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnership in Agriculture, Food Processing, Tourism and Information Technology witnessed the participation of 60 delegates from 27 countries, Central and State Government officials, business communities, local entrepreneurs and stakeholders, held at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima on Wednesday.
The premier forum for international economic cooperation, the Group of Twenty (G20), plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.
The Business 20 (B20) is a group that represents the private sector within the Group of 20 (G20) forum, to provide a platform for the business community to engage with the G20 and to offer recommendations on policies that can support global economic growth and development. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is designated by the Government of India as the Secretariat for B20 under its presidency of G20 Forum.
Delivering the welcome address, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) North East Council, Pradeep Bagla expressed hope that the B20 Conference in Kohima will not only carry the momentum forward but also set a new benchmark.
Nagaland offers opportunity for investment in Organic Farming, ‘Out of the box’ Tourism experience
In his address, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio pitched for investments in organic farming mentioning that the favorable climate of Nagaland is conducive for agricultural produce. He added the yield here is organic while adding that the State offers excellent opportunity in increasing the yield in future. Nagaland also enjoys a favorable man-land ratio with low population density compared to other parts of the country, he said.
Rio also said that the “Land of Festivals,” as Nagaland is known, offers “out of box” tourism experiences through its rich and diverse cultural heritage and the undulating landscape offers scope for trekking and other adventure sports. The State has skilled manpower who has ventured into startups, Rio added.
He further claimed that infrastructure of the State is also undergoing a rapid change with railway connectivity upto Kohima. He said Nagaland also offers great investment opportunities in handloom and handicrafts products.
He added that the B20 is the perfect platform for accelerating the investments in the State to drive growth and he exhumed confidence that this initiative will surely build up global partnerships with Nagaland.
Nurturing youth’s skills and supporting them will reap rich benefits to the Region
In his keynote address, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India stated that the unique location of Nagaland and its legendary hospitality makes it special. He also said that the Asian Highway will be a game changer for the North East as it will bring the North East closer to the South East economies.
“The logistics infrastructure has undergone a rapid change with the PMDeVINE scheme. The flights have increased from 900 in 2014 to 1900 presently, the length of the highway doubled, the waterways connect improving, the railways are reaching the State capitals in the region,” Singh claimed.
The Indo-Bangladesh railway link is also near completion which is also likely to open up a vista of opportunity for the Region, he said. Since youth form the backbone of the North East, he said nurturing their skills and supporting them in their endeavors will reap rich benefits to the Region in general and the State in particular.
Govt taking steps to promote organic farming in Nagaland
Addressing the gathering, Principal Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, Rupa Dutta mentioned that B20 Conferences in the North East Region of India have been held in Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and now, in Nagaland. She stated that DPIIT which looks at promotion of industries and internal trade, has two engagement groups – the B20 and Start-Up 20. Pointing out that GI initiative, which is also part of DPIIT, has given tags to three farm products – the Naga Mirchi, the Naga Tree Tomato and the Naga Sweet Cucumber, she said that the Government is also taking steps to promote organic farming in the State.
Another key initiative of DPIIT is ‘One District, One Product, of which 11 districts of Nagaland have been selected. She also mentioned that the Government has launched Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region, which aims at development of certified organic production in a value chain mode, and this can promote social entrepreneurship and start-ups. Rupa said that Nagaland has not only immense agro resources, but with a positive and progressing population available, Nagaland has good future potential in skill development, an area where the start-ups can do a lot of good works.
The inaugural was followed by a plenary session on exploring the opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Agriculture, Food Processing, Tourism and Information Technology
(Details on Plenary Session here).
German consul general acknowledged Naga political issue
Following the joint political statement from Naga organizations seeking international intervention on the long pending Naga political issue, German consul general Manfred Auster acknowledged the demands by the Civil Society Organizations stating that it is a sign of the ‘maturity of Indian democracy’.
“It is good that we are here and we are reading and learning from the Nagas about the situation here and the ongoing negotiations,” he said.
He went on to say that for Germany, it is clear that the rule of law has prevailed and added that “it is a very good basis for solving conflicts- probably the only basis for a lasting solution in all cases- domestic and international relations”.
He also added that the Russian-Ukraine conflict needs to be resolved using international law according to the UN Charter.
Cultural show in Kisama
Later in the evening, the international delegates were taken to the Kisama Heritage Village to witness the specially curated mini Hornbill Festival.
Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjem Imna Along welcomed the G20 delegates to the Naga Heritage village, Kisama where the Hornbill festival is held every year.
The guests were enthralled with daring and dashing performances by different ethnic tribes with their cultural songs and dances.
Tuli Paper Mill will be liquidated: Rio
CM Rio on Wednesday said that the Tuli Paper Maill has “failed miserably” and will be liquidated.
Addressing media persons at the Chief Minister’s Office after the inaugural session of the meet, Rio announced that the existing paper mill in Tuli under Mokokchung will be liquidated in order to make way for new investments.
He informed that the Bangladesh delegation attending the meet has expressed interest to start a paper mill as Nagaland has a huge potential in the sector.
Rio said that the Tuli Paper Mill or Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Limited (NPPCL) which is a joint venture between the Centre’s Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the state government has “failed miserably due to defective machinery.”
“We have to make a fresh deal, look for privatization and do everything afresh. That company is already dead and they are out from this mess. But what they left behind has to be cleared, else the next investment won’t be able to come in,” he said.
He informed that the employee-related issues will be resolved as the department has been assigned to find ways to address the matter and make way for fresh investment in the paper mill industry.