Compendium on ‘Nagaland Opportunities Abound’

Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 4

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched a compendium on ‘Nagaland Opportunities Abound’ at the Precursor to the 1st Nagaland CSR & Investment Conclave 2022 here at State Banquet Hall on July 4. 

The compendium is jointly brought out by Invest India and Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN).

Maintaining Nagaland as an investment destination, it stated that Nagaland is immensely potential for agro and horticultural produce including fiber, tea, coffee, pineapple, kiwi, orange etc.

The state is endowed with mineral resources like limestone and magnetite.

IT Policy (2004) aimed at promoting Nagaland as a preferred IT destination. High literacy rate at 80.11% contributed to a skill workforce, the compendium stated.

“This compendium is a good effort, giving a comprehensive outline of the various programmes and initiatives that the state government is spearheading for promoting sustainable economic activities in the region,” Rio stated in his message in the compendium.

“There is no dearth of investible sectors in Nagaland. Be it agro-processing, horticulture, tourism, higher education, health care, mining or biotechnology. The state government is making all possible efforts to collaborate with private sector and other stakeholders and help develop a better understanding of the state and its attributes,” stated Alemtemshi Jamir, CEO, IDAN.

Invest India MD & CO Deepak Bagla stated “This report is a well- directed effort to apprise investors of all the potential avenues in Nagaland that will go a long way in making the state a hub for sustainable socio- economic development and economic activity.”

Rio also launched CSR Project Tracking and Management System, which is an integrated web- portal with geo-tagging technology to track and manage assets created through CSR funding.

Further, the chief minister also launched Drugs & Vaccine Distribution Management System and Equipment Maintenance & Management System, Hospital Information System, NECTAR, Single Window System.
 
‘Economy of Nagaland revolves around agriculture and services’
Earlier, talking on “The Business, Economy, and socio environment: A state overview,” Nagaland’s chief secretary J. Alam informed the precursor to the 1st Nagaland CSR & Investment Conclave that the economy of Nagaland at present revolves around agriculture and services in which government services have a significant share.

“In the state GDP as in 2021-22, services contributed 61% and agriculture 27% while the contribution of manufacturing activities including construction is 11 percent. The per capita income in Nagaland is about $ 2,000 (at GSDP of Rs. 32,424 crore in 2021-22),” Alam said.

Nagaland is richly endowed with fertile land, community managed forests, abundant mineral wealth and skilled human resources. 70% of the State population is engaged in agriculture.

There is significant potential in the state for agro and horticultural produce including tea, coffee, Kolar (Rajmah), pineapple, kiwis and other fruits. Three of our Agro products i.e Naga tree tomato,Naga cucumber and Naga Mircha are GI tagged.

The chief secretary said that Nagaland is also richly endowed with mineral resources like oil and natural gas, limestone, coal and magnetite and most of these resources remain unexploited due to lack of investment in mining and related infrastructure.

The Nagaland Government has over the years encouraged development of traditional handicrafts and organic agricultural and horticultural products.

“As part of providing access to markets, we have developed various indigenous brands such as Nagaland Coffee, Naturally Nagaland and Myki with good potential for scaling up and marketing both domestic and international. They could achieve scale with the right partnership and collaboration with experienced companies and entrepreneurs,” he said.

He also informed that Nagaland also has a good potential to develop as a major tourist hub.
 
‘Infrastructure of the state is getting rapidly transformed’
With the help of the Government of India, the infrastructure of the state is getting rapidly transformed.

Work is on to connect Kohima with the national railway network. The road network in the state is being modernized and expanded across the state. The airport at Dimapur is also being expanded besides efforts to have an airport for Kohima and heliports in several other locations.

“We are also exploring the feasibility of developing waterways through our major rivers,” he said.

Stating that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the importance of transforming governance and regulatory systems, he said the state government has prioritized these reforms aimed at provision basic amenities and ease of living for every citizen.

Further, we are also working to adopt the benchmarks set for ease of doing business, reduction in compliance burden for investors and decriminalizing minor offences, he said.

Julia Karst, Project Head Her & Now, GiZ made a presentation of policy on women entrepreneurship.

She said that GiZ has joined with IDAN to promote women entrepreneurs in Nagaland.

She also shared five key policy recommendations, like enabling the women to assess finance, making their presence in industry platform, enhancing digitalization literacy etc.

Earlier, IDAN CEO Alemtemshi Jamir delivered keynote address while Dr. Chingmak Chang of Eleutheros Christian Society shared “Experience on doing CSR in Nagaland.”

The programme was followed by visit to stalls, interaction with Chief Minister by appointment and cultural programme.