Nagaland to host first NE states chambers of commerce conclave

September 10, 2023 94 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 10

The first ever Northeastern States Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Conclave will be hosted by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) in the state. The CNCCI informed at a press conference, on September 9, that it will be hosting the conclave at the Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima from September 18-20.

CNCC President, Dr Khekugha Muru said that all the state chambers of commerce from the 8 NE states— Arunachal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Manipur Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mizoram Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Sikkim Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Assam Chamber of Commerce, Meghalaya Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chamber of Trade and Business Tripura and the CNCCI have confirmed participation at the three-day meet.

The conclave, which will have Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) chairperson, Abu Metha as special guests on the inaugural and closing programmes, respectively.

Dr Muru informed that besides the business community, the conclave will have academicians and formers speaking on various issues. “We are expecting some Ministers from the 8 states as well,” he said. He added that there will be 6 delegates from each state but there would be no set cap on the number of participants.

After the icebreaking inaugural session on September 18, the next day will be dedicated to discussions and the third and final day will see the conclave working out action plans.

“There are many issues that can be threshed out… We are the stakeholders so we want to come up with action plans and try to implement it in concert with the state governments,” he added.

The convergence of the NE states as one mutually beneficial cohesive market is high on the agenda list, he said, while stating that the northeast, on the whole, is a big market but has been held back by the states functioning in isolation without exploring “the potential of each other’s market.”

According to him, the Act East policy has started rolling but the required system, including but not limited to infrastructural facilities like storage and customs, is not in place in the region as to enable the regional states to start reaping the benefits. “We want to deliberate on how the entire NE benefit from the Act East initiative over and above wayside amenities.”

The tapping of the available natural resources, issues preventing the growth of a thriving business environment and undoing preconceived notions held by the rest of the country on the NE region will be deliberated at length, he said.