CM Rio leads State’s international engagement; local products sold out amid global attention
Officials from the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland, along with local entrepreneurs, showcased the State’s economic and cultural vibrancy at Bharat Utsav 2025, held from July 5 to 13 at the iconic Manezhnaya Square in Moscow, Russia.
Organized by the Indian Embassy in Moscow with support from the Moscow City Government, the event served as a major cultural diplomacy initiative to promote India’s artistic traditions and entrepreneurial talent on the global stage.
Nagaland’s participation gained national and international attention under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, who was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony. His formal inauguration of the Nagaland Stall was seen as a reaffirmation of the State Government’s commitment to “advancing local industries and empowering entrepreneurs on the global stage.”
The Department of Industries & Commerce expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for “providing this remarkable platform to showcase Nagaland’s economic and cultural potential.”
The Nagaland delegation was led by MLA and Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, and Director of the Department, P. Tokugha Sema, along with senior officials and a team of selected entrepreneurs.
At the heart of Nagaland’s presence in Moscow was a curated showcase by the Department of Industries & Commerce, featuring entrepreneurs and producers from the State. Many of them were engaging with an international audience for the first time and received significant exposure and interest from visitors throughout the festival.
According to a report from DIPR, the Nagaland stall offered local entrepreneurs “a first-hand opportunity to access new markets, understand international consumer trends, and position their products beyond local limitations.”
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The stall featured a wide range of handcrafted and indigenous products reflecting the State’s rich artisanal tradition. These included bamboo mugs, mini bamboo cups, wooden plates, trays, pen stands, bamboo earrings, wood necklace pendants, masks, echo boxes, coconut spoons, fridge magnets, extension cords, paper pencils, bamboo pens, platters, and salt containers. Textiles and consumables such as silk shawls, cushion covers, Nagaland coffee, honey, small purses, and table runners were also displayed.
The DIPR reported that the products “attracted strong interest and were completely sold out during the festival.”
Describing the event as more than symbolic, the Department called it “a strategic and economic milestone” in its ongoing mission to support sustainable livelihoods and empower local producers. The initiative, it said, promotes “export-readiness, design innovation, and global competitiveness” by enabling direct international engagement for Nagaland’s enterprises.
Looking ahead, the Department said this “historic participation is only a beginning,” and reaffirmed its commitment to “building on this momentum by fostering new partnerships, scaling local businesses for international outreach, and continually investing in the talent, creativity, and resilience of Nagaland’s entrepreneurs.”
