‘Policies mean well but they have to suit the region’s needs’

September 21, 2023 34 Views No Comment

First NE business conclave concludes

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 21

The first Northeastern States Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Conclave concluded on September 20. The conclave had delegates from the chambers of commerce from the northeastern states brainstorming for strengthening business with the objective of converging ideas and turning the region into one mutually beneficial business engine.

It was hosted by the Confederation of the Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) at the Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima.

Rupam Goswami, President of the Assam Chamber of Commerce, told a press conference that the delegates discussed a wide range of issues facing trade and commerce in the NE region and finding ways to remedying the issues. Goswami, who is also the Convenor of the CoNESCCI, informed that some of the key issues deliberated related to the implementation of business policies in concert with the government.

Toko Tatung, Secretary General of the Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the Government of India (GoI) has in place “beautiful policies… but there are so many things on the ground that needs to be told.” According to him, the policies mean well but the question has been whether it suits the region’s peculiarities. “That is why we have decided come together and voice the concerns,” he said.

“If a policy is not helping the people for whom you have intended it for, then I think that policy needs to be reviewed,” he said, while adding, “We are not here to politicise, we are here to tell the truth of our region, of our shared aspiration.”

Queried on the law and order situation, the delegates maintained that it is a state subject but wished for an environment conducive to business growth.

The conclave also formalized the formation of the North East States Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CoNESCCI). Dr Radhesyam Oinam, President of the Manipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the CoNESCCI was formed with a vision towards uplifting the economy for the NE as a whole. “Although we live together in the northeast yet we are not connected, especially in terms of economy and trade. We were hoping that with the formation of this apex body, we will try to connect not only at the ‘chambers’ level but at the individual business level,” he said.

The Chairperson of the CNCCI, Dr Khekugha Muru was queried on the stand of the business community on the Nagaland government’s renewed effort to reactivate the Nagaland Special Development Zone along the foothills. He replied, “We would want for an SEZ but on the condition that it does not infringe on (the provisions of) Article 371 (A)”.

According to him, the distrust between the government and public has to be done away with for which, “We need to start reasoning out.” “Our leaders are Nagas and they think for the good of the Nagas. Therefore, on land and industrialization, we also have to reason before getting too emotional as we have to think about the future of the Nagas as well.”

Geography as NE’s strength
Advisor to Chief Minister and Chairperson of the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland, Abu Metha, who was the special guest at the closing session, noted the formation of the CoNESCCI at a time when the northeastern region of India was gaining traction in the country’s economic roadmap and with India rising as a global power.

“Today, what used to be our weakness is our strength and that is geography, geography has become our most powerful strength because our region is not only a zone for looking east but we are also a region for the east to look west, from the Indian subcontinent and beyond,” he said.

He said that India makes its presence felt in the “high table of international politics,” the NE must position and emerge as India’s asset, “an economic power zone.”

“And the way towards that is one northeast, not competing with each other but collaboration should be our mantra. We should identify each other’s strengths, understand each other’s weakness, overcome the differences that divide us and unite as one people, one northeast,” he said.

According to him, the business community of the region must understand the dynamics and take the narrative in this direction. He added that the Nagaland government was in the process of forming a special economic zone with updated regulations and the development of a logistics hub to that will assist not only Nagaland but the entire region.