Nagaland Industries & Commerce Secretary, Kumar Ramnikant and others during the Buyers & Suppliers Meet 2025 at Bamboo Hall, Kisama on November 4. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 4
Nagaland Industries & Commerce Secretary, Kumar Ramnikant on Thursday said the State’s strength lies in its cultural richness and entrepreneurial spirit, and emphasised that the department is committed to facilitating strategic partnerships to help local enterprises access wider markets.
Speaking at the two-day Buyers & Suppliers Meet 2025 at Bamboo Hall, Kisama, organised by the Department of Industries & Commerce in association with the Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC) under the RAMP project of the Ministry of MSME, Ramnikant said Nagaland is “a hub of innovation rooted in tradition.”
He said the State’s comparative advantage lies in its unique blend of craftsmanship and natural resources—from the work of its weavers and artisans to niche products such as King Chilli and herbal wellness teas.
“Possessing unique strengths is only one part of the equation. The more critical part is creating sustainable market linkages. This is the bridge we are building today,” he said. The government, he added, aims to act not just as a regulator but as an enabler and facilitator for enterprises.
Ramnikant said the department is working to strengthen backend infrastructure in product development, quality certification, packaging and logistics to make Nagaland’s MSMEs market-competitive.
He said the department is committed to building strategic partnerships, adding that buyers are “collaborators in shaping quality standards, design aesthetics and scalable production models.”
By aligning with national frameworks such as RAMP, he said the State is removing barriers, unlocking financial pathways and creating conditions for innovation to thrive. He encouraged local entrepreneurs to utilise the platform to learn market expectations and refine their products.
Addressing buyers, he said they are “the vital link to the world” and urged them to look beyond transactions and explore opportunities for exclusive product lines, ethical sourcing and long-term procurement partnerships.
Industries & Commerce Director P. Tokugha Sema said the meet aims to strengthen the MSME ecosystem and enhance market access for entrepreneurs from Nagaland. This year’s edition features 24 buyers from across the country, representing firms engaged in home furnishing, handicrafts, artisanal foods and multi-sector trade.
He said buyer interests—from handloom and handicrafts to artisanal foods, herbal teas and processed or dehydrated products—align closely with the strengths of Nagaland’s enterprises. A total of 22 MSMEs from the State are participating, including artisans, manufacturers, food processors, farmer-led units and micro-enterprises.
Their participation, Sema said, reflects the readiness of Nagaland’s enterprises to engage with wider markets and compete through quality, authenticity and distinctiveness. The meet will facilitate direct business interactions between local sellers and national-level buyers. Day-2 of the event on December 5 will include a sector pitch session followed by B2B meetings.
