Governor of Nagaland and Assam, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi on Nov. 3, questioned the Naga youths as to why their lands were not being used for agriculture with the most modern means. He reminded them that the government was always ready to help them from issuing soil card to advising the right seeds to be sown in the land and providing manure and other essential Agri products. “Nagaland is the most fertile land”, Prof. Jagdish stated and advised the youth to take up agriculture as one of their professions after studies.
The governor was speaking at the inaugural programme of National Innovate Integrate Expand (NIIE) Trade Fair 2022, organised by the Business Association of Nagas, supported by the Ministry of MSME, government of India, at Agri Expo Centre, 4th Mile. Addressing the gathering as chief guest, the governor expressed happiness to be attending the trade fair and business summit. “I am happy to know that entrepreneurs from Nagaland and many other North Eastern states are participating in the three-day trade fair”, he said,
He stressed that this was a unique event since beside the trade fair, a business summit was also being organised where many topics that are of importance such as employment, agri, tourism, logistics, business financing and women entrepreneurship will be discussed.
“Focus of our country ‘s economy reforms and policies is to eliminate poverty and enhance the prosperity of ordinary families”, he asserted. Prof. Jagdish also stated that the government of India’s key initiatives such as Make in India, Skill India, Start-Up India, Smart Cities and the result to increase farmers income were all an attempt to make economic reforms more meaningful to those at the grassroots level. Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) has emerged as a dynamic important sector in providing large employment opportunities to the youth that has also helped in the industrialisation of rural and backward area, thereby, reducing the regional imbalances and assuring more equitable distribution of national income, he opined.
The governor believed that a trade fair like this helped showcase the vibrancy of MSME sector and that the Naga youth should take up entrepreneurship and create jobs. “There are many schemes provided by the MSME that can be availed by entrepreneurs to skill-up” he stated.
“Soon after the taking charge as the governor of Nagaland, I instructed the state government to close all the illegal check gates and collection centres run by unscrupulous elements”. The governor stated. He added that such activities were causing problems to the business communities in particular and public in general. Further, he concluded his speech by expressing hope that all the stakeholders of NIIE 2022 will enter deals. He also lauded the BusinessAssociation of Nagas (BAN) and MSME for coming together to organise the event. Earlier, the governor also launched the website of MSME-Development & Facilitation Office.
In the welcome address, MSME-DFO Dimapur, joint director, Taliwati Longchar stated that marketing was a strategic tool for business development and was critical for the growth and survival of MSMEs. Due to the lack of information, he stressed that the scarcity of resources and unorganised way of selling/marketing, MSME sector often facedproblems in exploring new markets and retaining the existing ones.Keeping these facts in view, he informed that the procurement andmarketing support schemes have been introduced by the MSME to enhance the marketability of products and services in the MSME sector. He further informed that the main objectives of the event were—To promote local products and services and create market linkage by engaging both buyers and sellers; this exhibition is for the national level and participants will be invited from all over India including North East Region.
He informed that people from public sector units and government department have also been invited to the event. Another objective included promotion of ne market access t all the participating MSMEs of the manufacturing and service sectors in NE region.
In the vote of thanks, Trade Fair convenor, Benthungo Kithan said that the remarks of the governor in his speech showed the scope of his thinking, reducing economic imbalances, income and wealth through equal distribution. He shared that BAN was thrilled to be conducting the national-level trade fair NIIA 2022. “Nagaland is a home to a long history of learning and discourse on ideas”, he stated and in this regard, he expressed hope that the three-day event would engage industry experts and policymakers, to deliberate on important issues and topics to help reduce the challenges on their strive for growth and search for opportunities. “The success of this trade fair depends on the efforts of many”, he stated. Further, he expressed gratitude to MSME, government of India, department of Agriculture, government of Nagaland, department of Industries and Commerce, SBI, NSRLM Dimapur, and others.
The programme was chaired by BAN general secretary Dr. Yan Murry, national anthem was sung by students of Hope Academy School, atraditional Lotha folk performance was presented by North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) Dimapur.
Later, the governor inaugurated the exhibition stalls. Altogether, 137 stalls from various parts of the country including Manipur, Assam, Delhi, etc, are selling and promoting their produces and products at the three-day trade fair.
