Kisama, December 2 (MExN): The Department of Industries & Commerce in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce organised a Nagaland Buyer-Seller Meet at Bamboo Hall Kisama on December 2 with Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Imnatiba Jamir as the guest of honour. Stressing on the importance of look east policy, Jamir said that Nagaland serves as the main corridor connecting with the South East Asian countries. “Generally, we are considered as backward for which we are placed under special status category but in terms of potentiality and talent we are neither backward nor inferior to none,” he said. The Advisor observed that meet ups with neighbouring countries and states would open a window for the young and upcoming entrepreneurs to build better relationship with outsiders. In this regard, he urged the delegates from other countries and officials of the concerned departments to interact with the stall owners at Kisama in order to know the actual inputs. “Our farmers have enough potential but we are not at par with other in terms of accessing opportunities and markets because we do not have adequate marketing facilities in our state,” Jamir mentioned, while pointing out that the state does not have a uniform pattern of organisational set up for the markets, including other taxes. He said that as a result, establishment of efficient marketing system for producers is in dire need. Due to lack of marketing and storage facility besides lack of proper infrastructure like air and road connectivity hindered the growth of our economy, he added. He also pointed out that organisational support is the need of the hour pertaining to marketing systems and said that lack of commercial knowledge and information needs to be addressed. Nagaland is known not only for its rich culture and heritage but also known for its rich flora and fauna, he further commented. 80.49% is under forest cover and the people of Nagaland still practice traditional form of agriculture, he said. On organic farming, Jamir emphasized, is the need to educate people about the importance and necessity to adopt it since the state has been blessed with abundant natural resources. He urged the department officials to implement the schemes for the right purpose by streamlining the right beneficiaries. Commissioner & Secretary for Industries & Commerce, LG Chishi while delivering the welcome address thanked the neighbouring countries, Indian Chamber of Commerce and officials from different departments who have come and made the programme successful. She mentioned about the importance of networking, saying that importing or exporting of products is all about networking between the producers and consumers. Without building good relationship and proper linkage with our fellow entrepreneurs outside the state or country we cannot go ahead, she added. Urging all the participants and delegates attending the programme to make the world a smaller place, Chishi asked them to make the best use of their stay in Nagaland during this festive season. The keynote address was delivered by Regional Director, North East Indian Chamber of Commerce, Ishantor Sobhapandit. "Indian cannot expand more on the North, South and West but India can further expand on the South East Asian countries", he said. He also stated that the North East states are closer to South East Asian countries than mainland India. Delegates from Bangladesh, Imamuz Zaman of India- Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chairman, Nepal Herbs & Herbal Products Association, Govinda Prasad Ghimire and Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Namgyel Wangmo addressed the meet.
