An Interactive session cum Dinner was organised by Business Association of Nagas (BAN) with Smt. Mercy Epao, Jt. Secretary, MSME, as a Special guest and other representatives from various Govt Institutions including the Bankers. During the interactive session a special representation was submitted by Business Association of Nagas (BAN) to the Jt. Secretary, MSME, the Association requested the intervention of the ministry in the functioning of MSME Nagaland under the post of Director, with all the vacant posts (Ministerial & Technical) to be filled. State of the art Mineral and Food Testing Lab for MSME, extension Centre of Nagaland Tool Room and Training Centre (NTTC) in every district for impartation of Skill Development based on One District One Product (ODOP model), and immediate establishment of NSIC office in Nagaland for the benefit of all MSME Entrepreneurs for implementation of various schemes available.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Mercy Epao Jt. Secretary, MSME said “I firmly believe that BAN, being an Apex business body representing all sections of Naga Entrepreneurs, can act as an effective influencer. It can immensely contribute towards creating a very positive entrepreneurial ecosystem through interventions at each stage of the entire value chain which includes backward and forward linkages and not just the production process”. Further she mentioned GOI envisions MSMEs will help in making India a 5 Trillion US dollar economy. The MSME sector has created about 11 Cr employment in both manufacturing and service sector combined. For ease of doing business and to fast track the process, most of the schemes under the ministry of MSME, bypasses the state govt to assist the entrepreneurs better. She further urged that all stakeholders in the state plays an important role and contributes to each other’s growth, a corroborated 5 year roadmap reviewed at regular interval is vital, with better coordination and emphasis on better coexistence between all stakeholders is crucial.
Creating wealth from waste and Flower trade has a huge potential and Nagaland can champion with these opportunities with proper planning, she expressed. The Ministry of MSME has given its due share of importance to NER to help Entrepreneurs in the region, the ministry has targeted to create a venture fund of Rs 50,000 Cr to help the Entrepreneurs under MSME.
Shri Abhinash Hembrom, AGM, SBI stated his office is working closely with BAN for the past few months and he hopes to see visible changes through the joint effort in the next few months. NIDC is working on moving from Term Loan facility only, to infrastructure loans as well and encouraged Entrepreneurs to explore the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and look into the possibility of taking up initiatives of setting up processing units in those facilities expressed Shri. Temjenyanger Jamir, DGM,
NIDC. NeDFI represented by Shri. Jianthai Lung Kamei share about new scheme with interest rate of 7% per annum which is to be launched and shared his willingness to work hand in hand with BAN in identifying genuine Entrepreneurs. Smt. Tiakala Ao, GM, NABARD mentioned that Nagaland been 71% under rural area, agriculture plays a very important role and stressed that more than 7000 Co-operative Societies are registered in Nagaland and most are family run with only 10-15 members as opposed to Co-operative societies having more than 1000 members in other states, therefore, she encouraged more member participation and sincere effort. State Director, KVIC Shri. I. Athuba Lusang highlighted on the various aspects of Khadi & Village Industries activities including that of flagship programmes like PMEGP and SFURTI.