Nagaland Governor urges Naga youths to pursue entrepreneurship

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 3 (EMN): Governor of Nagaland, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, on Thursday, asserted that self employment can usher in more development in Nagaland, and encouraged Naga youths to be entrepreneurs and job creators.

He stated that there are many schemes under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and other initiatives by the Central and state governments that can be availed by young entrepreneurs to scale up their businesses.

 He was speaking during the inaugural programme of the three-day National Innovate Integrate Expand (NIIE) Trade Fair at Agri Expo, Dimapur on Thursday.

He opined that the MSME sector has emerged as an important and dynamic sector of the Indian economy by not only playing a crucial role in providing large employment opportunities but also helping in industrialisation of rural and backward areas, thereby, reducing regional imbalances and assuring more equitable distribution of national income and wealth.

“The area where you can enter is not only MSME but agriculture as well,” he said, adding that ‘those who have money to invest can enter MSME, and those who do not should go for agriculture’.

He encouraged students to pursue agriculture after completing their education. He said that there is a lot of scope in agriculture and the government is ready to help.

He further reminded that soon after taking charge as Governor of Nagaland, he instructed the state government to close all illegal check gates and collection centres run by unscrupulous elements which was putting extra burden on the business community in particular and public in general.

The governor stated that this will create a conducive atmosphere for ease of doing business in the state. He maintained that during the last one year, he has also visited nine districts of Nagaland and had detailed interactions with the business community and heard their grievances.

“The Government of Nagaland should continue to support such events organised by local industry organisations. Together, with the involvement of all stakeholders, we can make a difference,” he added.

Taliwati Longchar, Joint director of MSME- development institute (DI), stated that marketing is a tool for business development and it is critical for the growth and survival of MSMEs.

He said that due to the lack of information, scarcity of resources and unorganised way of selling and marketing, MSME sector often faces problems in exploring new markets and retaining the existing ones.

‘Keeping in view of these facts, the procurement and marketing support scheme has been introduced by the Ministry of MSME to enhance the marketability of products and services in the MSME sector,’ he shared.

Longchar further stated that the main objective of the fair is to promote local products and services and create market linkage by engaging both buyers and sellers.

‘By organising this Trade Fair, we are promoting new market access to all the participating MSMEs of both manufacturing and service sectors in the Northeast region,’ he added.

A total of 137 stalls have been opened at the three-day Trade Fair.