With an emphasis towards the need of the state possessing cold storage facilities for MSME units, a one day, “publicity & awareness programme on cold storage for MSME units and export aspects” was organised by the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, GOI at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur on March 25.
The programme was organised in collaboration with MSME- Development Institute, Dimapur along with Business Association of Nagas (BAN) and Ice Make Refrigeration (IMR) Ltd Gujarat.
The event was separated into two distinct sessions, with the first one including a host of speakers from various backgrounds appraising the audience about key areas of the economy.
Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Tali Longchar, Joint Director, MSME-DI Dimapur, called for the need to encourage the unemployed youths and entrepreneurs to avail MSME schemes, which can help generate opportunities for themselves and the state. He said that the objective of the government is ‘To guide our young entrepreneurs, as Nagaland has among the highest employment rates in the NE region.’
He stressed on the need to cultivate farm lands and to increase the production rate of the state. However, this can only be achieved if the facility for cold storage is provided for perishable vegetables that come from far flung areas and reach markets in Dimapur. Longchar thus made the point about companies such as IMR Ltd which can play a crucial role in providing these facilities to the farmers and entrepreneurs alike.
Member invitees to the programme, Abinash Hembrom, AGM, SBI, RBO Dimapur, mentioned how the banks have till today, provided loans amounting to more than 1000 crore, benefiting about 20,000 individuals in the state. Additionally he spoke about how MSMEs are the only means through which the economy of the state can be stabilised and also motivated the people to find ways to make quality products which can be sold at the national and international level.
“We must sell the right products in the right market to the right customers,” he said. He ended his speech by saying that there is plenty of scope for the people of the state; the only thing required is to make plans and execute them in a systematic and scientific manner.
While Mongkum Jamir, President of BAN, mentioned how businesses cannot exist in isolation and therefore, it is imperative of the people and the businesses to work together and build a functioning network in the state. He moreover expressed the evils of illegal taxation and how it has taken a toll on the state’s economy in the past, but assured the younger generation that these sorts of activities, although it still exists, have greatly subsided in a large way. What’s more, Mongkum spoke about the role that BAN played in working with the government to set up a testing lab for MSMEs, however he said that this can only be achieved if the youths are ready to work in setting up various businesses.
Venugopal, Director of NIT, Nagaland, enlightened the audience on the need for providing services such as parts and items in creating inventive tools and machinery within the state. In his speech he also pointed out how the first gas absorption refrigerator was invented by two Swedish students, and motivated the young people to put their mind into making innovative gadgets and items. ‘Innovation is good but it should turn into revenue sources,’ he shared. In addition, he expressed hope that facilities such as cold storage will give a boost to the state’s production level in the years to come.
Ice Make Refrigeration Ltd Gujarat, is a private business engaged in providing customized cooling solutions to a range of diverse clients. It was first established in the year 1993. The company deals in four key areas such as cold room, commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration and industrial refrigeration.
- Morung Express
