Kohima, May 8 (DIPR): Belgian Ambassador to India Jan Luykx today expressed optimism at the possibility of Belgium partnering to work towards development in Nagaland, specifically in the area of the Smart City project. The Nagaland Department of IT&C, Department of Power and Kohima Smart City Development Ltd Company hosted the Belgian Ambassador at the Directorate of IT&C in Kohima on May 8.
The Ambassador, who met the Governor and the Chief Minister of Nagaland earlier, expressed optimism for some sort of collaboration. “I’ve got a good feel of the state of Nagaland” he stated. Luykx said that his country and Nagaland can collaborate following the guidelines of the memorandums of understanding in IT and renewable energy signed between India and Belgium.
On smart cities, he stated: “We know a lot about developing cities and about challenges related to developing a city, but obviously smart cities involve from top level IT to basic infrastructural needs like sewage. We have a lot of knowledge in these. We are already involved in building smart cities in some other states in India so it is possible we can work together here in Kohima.”
The Ambassador further mentioned that Belgium’s economy is driven by the private sector, where the government facilitates contact and gives information but it is up to the private sector to act. Luykx meanwhile observed that food processing and tourism are very important in the context of Nagaland.
Investment and Trade Commissioner for Flanders, Alexis Bossuyt who had accompanied the Belgian Ambassador stated that he was amazed by the enthusiasm of the young entrepreneurs in the state who want to work hard, contribute and change things.
Speaking on the possibilities of synergies, he specifically mentioned flanders in Belgium—known for its logistics hub, infrastructure and connectivity. Here we can learn from each other, he added. To work together, he first stressed on the need for matchmaking of companies through trade fairs or trade missions.
“For smart cities I’ll definitely contact with some cities in Belgium for collaborations, and in the field of IT sector India can re-develop and do much more as global service provider because India has smart and dynamic entrepreneurs in ITC,” the commissioner said.
Nagaland State Advisor for Power, Tovihoto Ayemi meanwhile expressed hope that avenues will be explored with Belgium in the power sector as well. He stated that the Power Department is interested to introduce new technologies in the state and requested the Ambassador to initiate steps for foreign collaboration and assured him of cooperation from elected representatives.
Advisor IT&C, Mmhonlumo Kikon also highlighted the Act East Policy which he said would open up a lot of opportunities in the region and enable people to explore trade.
Kikon, while hoping for more changes along with the smart city initiative, highlighted the Department of IT&C’s recent initiative to provide free Wi-Fi to universities, district administrations and in parts of Kohima within a period of 3 to 6 months. The government, he stated, welcomes any investment, collaboration and future study.
Minister for Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Metsubo Jamir, who also spoke, said that Nagaland is still a developing and remote state in the country with nearly 97% of the population in rural areas.
With limited resources and facilities in town, it is very difficult to absorbed high migration from the rural areas to town, he said. Various issues like climatic condition, water and electricity shortage have a huge impact on the developmental activities in Nagaland, he added. Jamir asked the Ambassador to assist the state with technologies which will bring tangible, durable and productive developments in the state.
