Panellists:
1. Shri. Kikheto Sema, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Govt. of Nagaland.
2. Shri. Kekhrievor Kevichusa, Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Nagaland.
3. Shah Md. Farid, Founder Director, Northeast India – ASEAN Chamber of Commerce
4. Smt. Aditi Bhutia Madan, CEO, Blue Pine Foods Pvt. Ltd.
5. Smt. Zubeno Mozhui, Advisor BAN, Founder Ohan Naga Gangtok, Michinga Guwahati
Moderator:
Shri. Nukuzo Phesao, Summit Coordinator & Founder, WareHouse103
In his opening remarks, summit coordinator, founder of WareHouse 103, Nukuzo Phesao stated that the session would deliberate on the government’s schemes and initiatives for ST and women entrepreneurs. He informed that the session would also act as a medium to enable participants to understand the schemes better, find out problems they faced and how to go forward.
In his talk, Agriculture production commissioner (APC), Y. Kikheto Sema stated that the people were fortunate that the state is untouched by the green revolution, which means “anything that goes here in our state is by default organic”. He asserted that there was a huge scope as far as Nagaland was concerned and encouraged the budding entrepreneurs by stating that the state government was ready with whatever support the entrepreneurs were looking for. Speaking on the financial initiatives by the government like Chief minister’s micro finance fund and Agri infrastructure fund, the APC said that entrepreneurs are not coming forward to avail the financial assistance through these schemes and encouraged entrepreneurs to avail them.
Commissioner & secretary, Industries & Commerce, Kekhrievor Kevichusa highlighted some of the schemes under the department and shared that it was encouraging to learn that more women and indigenous communities were pursuing schemes and loans under the government to start their own businesses. He touched upon the start-up initiative of his department where ideas of young Nagas are incubated and provided seed money by the government.
Founder director, Northeast India-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce, Shah Md. Farid encouraged the entrepreneurs and start-ups to identify the product, its components and information and cited how he had come across many entrepreneurs who start with no information and data and are stuck midway. He reminded them on various conditions which were required for exports when registering a firm and stressed the right kind of packaging which will help with the outreach of the products. “The packaging needs to be done at an international level,” Shah stated.
Later, CEO of Blue Pine Foods Pvt. Ltd. Aditi Bhutia Madan encouraged the women entrepreneurs by advising them to be frivolous, resilient, passionate and focus-driven. Aditi, who was also a participant at Shark Tank India stated that there was very less knowledge on when it came to accounting, in this regard, she encouraged them to be good at finances for a consistent and robust running business.
Entrepreneur, co-owner of Ohan Naga restaurant and co-founder of Michinga restaurant, Zubeno Ovung Mozhui stated that she started with very less support system but now things are different. She encouraged the women entrepreneurs not to be discouraged if they come across obstacles along the path to success as an entrepreneur.
