Nagaland: Accelerating Startup Calibre & Entrepreneurial Drive

November 24, 2022 53 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | November 24

Nagaland Startup Workshop Accelerating Startup Calibre & Entrepreneurial Drive (ASCEND) was organised in Kohima by Department of Industries & Commerce in collaboration with StartupIndia, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on November 23.

The Finance Secretary, V Kezo while giving a special address on the aim of the workshop, importance of entrepreneurship and a general overview on Northeast Ecosystem pointed out that certain liabilities have been present in the state structure for promoting entrepreneurship in the state.

The speaker lamented that gaps and deficiencies we are experiencing today are essentially the outcomes of problems that we have created ourselves. ‘One huge problem among our own people in different sectors is dishonesty and the inability to trust,’ he said.

On the part of the government, Kezo also said it has not been able to put the structure in place despite also having sanctioned funds from the state government and therefore, for a long time deep thought has not been put by anyone to benefit entrepreneurs in the state. Meanwhile, he observed that a lot of changes have been noticed in government policies both at the state level and central government. Therefore, for a long time, there has been a struggle and ability to converge its activities in different sectors into supplementary activities. Nagaland in this regard was still struggling to come together to ensure that we create a vibrant and enabling atmosphere, he stated.

One encouragement however, he said was the decision of the state government to provide a Corpus fund of Rs 60 crore rupees to promote entrepreneurship in Nagaland. He hoped that the funds in the form of providing subsidies and low interest rates will be essentially utilized throughout the years and go a long way in facilitating flow of institutional credit.
This comfort factor in turn, Kezo commented was an area which is required for banking sector to persuade them to lend little more than what they are doing now. He called to seize these present upcoming opportunities to create a niche in this sector.

Speaking on State policy incentives to aspiring and growth stage entrepreneurs, Kekhrievor Kevichusa, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce and Startup India, Nodal Officer, Nagaland said that going forward and starting to build a state economy takes time and good policies in the way that we are supposed to do. He said implementing Startup policies requires commitment from the government to support Startups in the state. Kevichusa said the Startup policy that was launched in 2019 in the state had undergone some revision keeping in mind some assurance that was not feasible or some required changes based on current need and situations.

He stated that the Chief Minister Corpus Fund was one scheme that the people should be aware of. The Commissioner in this regard, observed that it was for all sectors of the economy but the major focus was agri, allied and horticulture sector. He said there was scope for other sectors also and added that if there were any assistance required from the government in other sectors then the government was ready to extend assistance. One vision and aim of the Startup India in Nagaland, the Commissioner said that it was to make Nagaland as a Startup leader to create a culture of leadership through creative means.

The Startup India: Benefits and Incentives were presented by the Startup India team. The team while setting a context of the workshop said Startup India was initiated in 2016 with the aim to create entrepreneurship across the country.

Earlier, Vitsutho Nyuthe, Director of Industries and Commerce Department launched the Updated Startup Nagaland Portal. Prizes for Innovative Challenge organised by YouthNet Incubation Centre (YIC) and funded under Nagaland Startup Initiative were also distributed.

Training topics included Importance and process in corporation of an Industry and Basics of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Interactive session on product development journey was attended by Naga Ed, Jome Foods, Grandpa’s Pickle and Naga Bowl Bakery.

The workshop comprised of sensitisation and awareness sessions, Startup booth camps and knowledge sessions for Startups, entrepreneurs and ecosystem enablers.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-accelerating-startup-calibre-entrepreneurial-drive