‘Be the first movers’

April 6, 2023 44 Views No Comment

Govt promises a lot to encourage investment in Nagaland from B20 delegates

Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 6

Union Minister of State for external affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh was optimistic that the G20 Business Meet (B20) in Nagaland, would give G20 representatives a unique opportunity to know the North East, and examine opportunities in the North East from close quarters.

“Use these platforms to start a conversation, be the first movers,” he said while speaking at the inaugural function of B20 conference on opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Agriculture, Food Processing, Tourism and Information Technology in Kohima.

10 years down, I can assure you that you will not regret, he told the G20 countries and investors.

Stating that hosting of this B20 event in Nagaland is well timed and opportune, he said “I say well timed, as the focus of our leadership is in the development of this region, as the New Engine of Growth for India. I say opportune, as, if you do consider establishing business linkages in this beautiful part of my country, you will enjoy enormous first movers’ advantage; apart from being located in the middle of our land corridor with our ASEAN neighbors.”

He said that Kohima and the North East Region of India, “is central to our connection with our immediate neighbors to our East, be it ASEAN or South Asian.”

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned India’s G-20 Presidency should be celebrated in every corner of the country.

“It was he who envisioned that India, in all its glory, should be showcased to the world,” he said.

Hosting of this B20 event in Kohima today, is an outcome of that vision, he stated and thanked the CII and the G20 secretariat in his Ministry and the Nagaland state government for fructifying this vision.

“Presidency of the G20 is a moment of pride for us. It is momentous, as it gives us an opportunity to pro-actively contribute to shaping the agenda and the outcome,” Singh said.

It is momentous, as India’s Presidency comes at a critical juncture in international relations, as we emerge from the pandemic, he stated.

He added that this pandemic has forced a re-look at the existing global supply chains, work towards securing supply chains from unforeseen shocks, through diversification and re-shoring.

Rio assures creation of investor friendly environment
Meanwhile Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the state is fully geared up to put in place all requisite systems and enabling policy frameworks for ensuring a robust exchange of investment and business opportunities and facilitating a rapid and sustained industrial development in the state.

“We will ensure that creation of an investor friendly environment, provision of infrastructure and institutional support, attractive incentive packages and optimum utilization of existing resources in order to gainfully utilise/tap emerging opportunities in the national and international markets,” Rio said.

“There exists great investment opportunities in the agriculture and allied sectors of the state and I would urge everyone of you to consider exploring the immense possibilities in this sector,” Rio said.

Rio also called for exploring business opportunities for investing in “our several promising sectors and industries. “Through this meet we hope to build strong business ties and we hope you have a wonderful experience that is Naturally Nagaland,” Rio stated.

In the past, Rio said, the state was considered closed to the rest of the country, the world; perhaps due to its’ relative remoteness and backwardness, as well as its political history.
“But over the past two decades it has opened up to the world, and it now offers huge untapped potential in several areas of trade and services to the outside world. Due to the lack of industrialization in the past, there are large unexploited and unexplored natural resources available in the state, which provides tremendous opportunities especially for those who come early,” Rio said.
As we live in a world which is interconnected in all aspects, there arises the utmost need to come together and cooperate, particularly for the economy, Rio stated.
It is one of the most significant determinants greatly shaping the lives and livelihoods of the people, he maintained.
Stating that the G20 forum provides the perfect platform for international economic cooperation for the benefit of all, the Chief Minister said “It gives us great pleasure to host this very significant G20 Business Meet for the benefit of the state and for the entire North East region.”