Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 22
For the very first time, an International Trade Expo is going to be held at the NE Agri Expo Complex, Dimapur from November 24 to 30. This initiative is an effort by the Business Association of Nagaland (BAN) in collaboration with the Government of Nagaland.
To be held under the theme ‘Fostering Growth’, expected participants in the Expo include companies from Indian and ASEAN countries, export business promotion agencies of Indian and neighboring countries, Nagaland based entrepreneurs, departments, Government of India organizations promoting SMEs and many more.
Events highlights include Naga Entrepreneurs pavilion, Automobile Showcase, food courts with exotic delicacies of Nagaland and North East India. The Expo will also highlight the rich cultural and traditional heritage from North East States of India as well as other participants during a Cultural Extravaganza.
An important feature of the Nagaland International Trade Expo will be the “Business Summit” which will be held alongside the Expo to deliberate opportunities available in the region and plan the way forward keeping in mind India’s Act East Policy.
During a press conference held with media personnel today at the venue where hectic preparations are currently ongoing, the organizers informed that on November 28, during the first session, discussion will be held on a matter of much debate, “Nagaland Special Development Zone in the Foothills”. The second session will be held on “Prospect of Trade with Neighboring countries” with panellists from different government department and regional representatives of the country. On November 29, the first session will be held on the topic, “Building Community Farming & Market Linkages”. The second session will be held on the topic “Building Competent Human resources”.
During the conference, members of BAN stated that the Expo was conceptualised and initiated with the vision to introduce new entrepreneurs to new products, technologies and business prospects and facilitate Business to Business (B2B) interactions. It also aims to provide a platform for promotion of local products and services of entrepreneurs and small scale industries, to foster trade, commerce and cultural relations especially with ASEAN countries, to exhibit Nagaland’s potential and provide a window to the various business opportunities available in the state, to sensitise consumers about latest innovation in products and services of consumer durables, financial institutions and other organizations of trade and commerce.
All the above mentioned sessions will have a Moderator and a group of panellists. This sessions will be followed by Q & A and Networking.
Members of the BAN also stated that its members have been working together for three years and the time had come to raise the question of, “how to move the business community forward?” BAN stated that it had been working tirelessly and for the past few years had initiated a lot of events and activities. But this is one event where we are visualising for everything to come together and the true meaning of connectivity to really come out.
Ban also iterated that in spite of infrastructural disadvantages and hindrances we have decided to go ahead with the International Trade Expo. It also admitted that initially there was a lot of discouragement but we decided that unless we take the chance and the risks we’ll never move ahead so we’ve taken the opportunity.
It was also informed that the Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang and Pabitra Buragohain, President, Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) will be the chief guest and guest of honour respectively during the inaugural programme.
