At Phek business summit, entrepreneurs call for transparency, end to multiple taxation

With the theme “Empowering Business, Driving Economic Growth,” the Executives Summit 2025 was held on Friday at JBC, Pfutsero Town, bringing together key business leaders, entrepreneurs, and town union representatives from across Phek district. The summit, jointly organised by the Phek District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PDCCI) and the Pfutsero Town Business Association (PTBA), aimed to confront structural barriers to economic development in the district and strengthen business solidarity.

A panel of business executives from various towns held discussions on practical strategies to support enterprise development in Phek. Participants underscored that any meaningful economic growth would be impossible without tackling chronic issues such as regulatory opacity, bureaucratic inefficiency, and an insecure investment climate.

The interactive session that followed revealed persistent grassroots concerns. Among the key issues raised:

• The burden of multiple taxation by armed groups and factions operating in Nagaland, which continues to affect small and medium businesses.
• A call for transparency and accountability in licensing fees collected by Town Councils, amid growing frustration over the lack of clarity on how those funds are utilized.
• Rejection of the tender system for essential goods, with participants stating it discourages fair pricing and entrepreneurial growth. “Positive competition must be nurtured, not suppressed,” one participant said.
• Demand for improved accountability among government employees, particularly with regard to attendance and public service delivery.
• A broader conversation on the legal rights of business owners, with participants pushing for a safer, rules-based business environment that protects entrepreneurs from arbitrary actions.

Representatives from the Chozuba Town Business Union and other local associations contributed to the discussion, offering ground-level insights into the everyday challenges faced by traders and entrepreneurs across the district.

PDCCI President Dozo also shared updates from recent engagements with the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) and the Government of Nagaland, noting ongoing discussions around representation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and long-pending policy reforms.

Pio Veswu, General Secretary of PDCCI, summarized the summit’s outcomes and reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to continued advocacy, collaboration, and strategic action. He stressed the critical importance of unity among town associations to achieve shared developmental goals.

The event opened with introductory remarks by Vekusu Chuzho, President of PTBA and Vice President of PDCCI, who emphasised the need for sustained dialogue and collective resolve. In his keynote address, Razoukhruyi Dozo, President of PDCCI, pointed to the urgent need for strengthening local enterprise, dismantling barriers to entrepreneurship, and improving basic infrastructure.

The summit concluded with a Benediction and Corporate Prayer led by Mr. Rhutsuyi Rhakho, President of the Chozuba Town Business Union, invoking collective wisdom, strength, and integrity for the business community.

MT