The B2B/B2G sessions also witnessed a substantial business interest with potential investment of Rs 1500 crore in bio-fuels, while the private sector also evinced keen business interest with an “investment proposition” of about Rs 10 Crore in the health sector.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The Nagaland government organised and supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) G20 and B20 culminated on April 5 at the state capital, Kohima, with signing of a “Memorandums of Understanding” (MoUs) between the government of Nagaland and investors looking forward to invest in renewable energy to the tune of Rs 1000 crores over the next three years.
Nagaland, having been received keen interests from both the national and international business delegates who were here in the state capital, Kohima, for the B20 meet held on Wednesday in Kohima, represented by businesses community of Nagaland as well as government departments who took active participation in the business to business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) negotiations coordinated by CII, the B2B/B2G session also witnessed a substantial business interest with potential investment of Rs 1500 crore in bio-fuels, while the private sector also evinced keen business interest with an “investment proposition” of about Rs 10 Crore in the health sector.
It was said that though there are other business “prepositions” to the tune of Rs 2000 Crore in agro and food processing, rubber, MSME, medical tourism, sports, and IT sectors which would further be explored and firmed up in due course, the B20 meet also came to a conclusion that the State Investment Promotion Agency (IDAN), in coordination with the business fraternity and the line departments would follow and provide “end to end” facilitation to the potential investors.
It was learnt that the Nagaland state government would continue to make concerted efforts with active support of the Ministry of DoNER, DPIIT, and Invest India, and in tandem with the industrial associations/relevant stakeholders for ushering appropriate policies in order to convert these expressed business interests into projects on the ground.
It further went on to add that with the NE Global Investment Summit, organized by the DoNER Ministry, and DPIIT very shortly, the state has submitted its policy recommendations for the new NEIDS which would hel facilitate in fast forwarding the process of grounding business propositions and effectively improving the business “climate” of the state.
Opportunities for multilateral business partnership
On April 5, the event was focused on opportunities for multilateral business partnership in agriculture, food processing, tourism, and information technology witnessed the participation of 60 delegates from 27 countries, Central and State government officials, business communities, local entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in the inaugural session of the 4th and last G20 Business Meet in North East, India, held on Wednesday at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima.
The @g20org Business Summit delegates got a glimpse of Nagaland's rich culture and heritage through the mini Hornbill Festival, especially curated for them. #G20Nagaland #Nagaland #LandOfFestivals pic.twitter.com/z4ND0DWRCH
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) April 5, 2023
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the State Government, Ministry of External Affairs and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Trade (DPIIT) are partners in this B20 Conference. Accordingly, the Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, which plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.
India holds the Presidency of the G20 from December1 2022 to November 30, 2023. The Business 20 (B20) is a group that represents the private sector within the Group of 20 (G20) Forum, to provide a platform for the business community to engage with the G20 and to offer recommendations on policies that can support global economic growth and development. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is designated by the Government of India as the Secretariat for B20 under its presidency of G20 Forum. The G20 comprises of 19 countries namely Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union.
Welcoming all the foreign delegates and the participant to the business summit, Nagaland Chief minister, Neiphiu Rio specifically pointed out the great investment opportunities in agri and it’s allied sectors of the state and urged every individual to consider exploring the many possibilities in the said sector. While briefing on the huge potential for tourism industry in the state especially for those desiring a unique ” out of the box” experience, Rio shared that with persistent zeal for learning new skills coupled with the wide usage of English language, the state’s relatively young work force and a higher literacy rate than the national average, the state has an advantage especially in the services sector for which he appealed to all to consider in investing in this sector.
Had the pleasure of meeting several international @g20org Business Summit delegates resulting in fruitful discussions. Met with focused trade and business delegations from Bhutan, Japan and Bangladesh and also with the Consul General of Germany, Mr. Manfred Auster. pic.twitter.com/8qu9xBEiIP
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) April 5, 2023
Mentioning that over the past two decades, Nagaland has opened up to the world , and it now offers huge untapped potential in several areas of trade and services to the outside world, Rio added that due to lack of industrialization in the past, there are large “unexploited and unexplored” natural resources available in the state which provides tremendous opportunities especially for those who come early. He assured that the Nagaland state government was fully geared up to put in place all the requisite systems and the enabling policy frameworks for ensuring a robust exchange of investment and business opportunities and facilitating a rapid and sustained industrial development in the state. He further invited all to experience and saviour the unique culture, customs, and traditions of the Nagas while exploring business opportunities for investing in several promising sectors and industries.
Meanwhile, briefing media persons on the sidelines of the G20 business meet at his office chamber, Kohima, Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, disclosed that the B20 sessions are the official G20 dialogue forum for global business community. Informing that Kohima is witnessing the convergence of 60 foreign delegates representing 27 countries including diplomatic, focussed trade and business delegates, the Nagaland chief minister also mentioned that the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is facilitating the Business to Business (B2B), and Business to Government (B2G) meetings.
Rio also underlined that the overseas business delegates were getting the opportunity to interact with the local industry during the B2B and with the government in the B2G sessions for potential investment, collaboration, and tie-ups. He further went on to add that over 100 B2B and B2G requests were generated for interaction with government departments including tourism, commerce and industries, agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, and food processing.
Stating that the Nagaland state government was taking advantage of the presence of a large contingent of international delegates by making elaborate arrangements not to showcase investment and partnership opportunities but to provide a unique experience for the visiting delegates with an exposure to Nagaland’s culture, cuisine, art, festivities, and it’s scenic beauty, Rio was optimistic that Nagaland would benefit from the B20 conference as it is strategically located and would help Nagaland develop as a base for boosting links with ASEAN countries.
Further mentioning that the trade potential of the state lies in the strength in agro and forest based, mining and minerals based and services based industries, Rio also said that the North East region and Bangladesh have close ties and that Nagaland was set benefit from the cooperation while adding that the state is open for potential tie-up in the areas of tourism, IT, agriculture, and infrastructure development and with the participation of leading Nations in these areas, it would help the State to push economy to greater height.
‘Diversity is the strength of NE states’ says Minister of state for External Affairs
Minister of state for External Affairs, government of India, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, on Wednesday said that “Diversity is the Strength of North Eastern States” with more than 250 ethnic tribes domiciled in the region. He said this while delivering his keynote address at the B20 summit held on Wednesday in Kohima, where around 60 delegates from 27 countries inclusive of diplomatic and giant business houses participated.
Stating that the northeast region was reckoned as “landlocked’ but with the formation of ‘bilateral and multilateral” ties with other countries, the region has now become the centres for investment and partnering with other global business communities and platform for various collaborations.
He said the G20 meet was a good platform to showcase to the world the potentiality of the northeast region by adding that the region is the “new engine” for the growth of India. He assured that the ministry of external affairs was ready to assist the states in exploring the potential areas of the region for investment and promotion of partnership in the business sector. Dr Ranjan further expressed the desire for collaboration of educational institutions, and construction of all-weather roads in all the border villages having close proximity with international boundary lines while also proposing opening of “border hubs”.
Nagaland has got 3 GI tag farm products: Rupa Dutta Principal, Economic Advisor, Department for Promotion of Industry and Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, Rupa Dutta, mentioned that B20 Conferences in the North East Region of India have been held in Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and now, in Nagaland. She said that DPIIT which looks at promotion of industries and internal trade, has two engagement groups – the B20 and Start-Up 20. Pointing out that GI initiative, which is also part of DPIIT, has given tags to three farm products – the Naga Mirchi, the Naga Tree Tomato and the Naga sweet cucumber, she said that the Government is also taking steps to promote organic farming in the State. Another key initiative of DPIIT she said was “One District, One Product”, of which 11 districts of Nagaland have been selected.
Dutta also mentioned that the Government has launched Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region, which aims at development of certified organic production in a value chain mode, and this can promote social entrepreneurship and start-ups. She further said that Nagaland has not only immense agro resources, but with a positive and progressing population available, Nagaland has good future potential in skill development, an area where the start-ups can do a lot of good works.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh said that the hosting of B-20 event in Kohima is an outcome of Prime Minister’s vision that through India’s G20 Presidency, India in all its glory should be showcased to the world, and he highlighted that initiatives like Prime Minister Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) showcases the importance being attached to the development of North East Region by the Government as ‘New Engine Growth of India.’
Dr. Singh expressed confidence that North East will become India’s gateway to South East Asia and it will have seamless land connectivity with the heart of ASEAN and beyond once the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway is completed. He also stated that the Government is continuously working for seamless land and rail connectivity with Bangladesh. Pitching North East India to the business community to invest in, Dr. Singh stated that NE can be seen as a potentially dynamic region of the world, surrounded by ASEAN, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, with the youth from NE playing critical role in hospitality and care-giving sectors across India. With its rich human resource base, he said that NE can grow their business in NE and beyond, offering immense and relatively unexplored market opportunities.