Nagaland all set for B20 Conference; delegates from 29 countries to participate mega event

DIMAPUR — Dimapur Airport wears a new look, adorned with traditional items — ornaments, shawls, handicrafts and photographs etc. — showcasing Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage, to welcome delegates from 29 countries who are arriving in the state today for the much-awaited B20 Conference.

Nagaland is hosting the B20 Conference 2023, which is the official G20 dialogue forum for the global business community. Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh will attend the summit on April 5 in Kohima, the fourth and final such business conference being organised in Northeast India.

Addressing a press conference at Niathu Resort in Chümoukedima on Monday, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that 64 delegates from 29 countries are participating in the event from April 4 to the 6^th.

Business matters

While informing that trade and business-focused delegations from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Iceland, Japan and UAE will participate in the B20 Conference, Rio said the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with the state government will facilitate Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) meetings with them as part of the programme to explore potential investment opportunities, collaboration and tie-ups in the region.

He informed that the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), as an Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) of the state, along with various government departments were preparing a curated list of investible projects on varied themes and sectors to be pitched at the event to attract potential investors to invest in the state.

Rio said that entrepreneurs profiling have been generated with an aim to provide platform to identified local entrepreneurs and start-ups to explore the investment opportunities and to interact with potential investors. He added that sector profile of investible projects has also been created to provide an overview of the ‘State Investment Focus’ areas and the opportunities available in each sector.

He went on to say that the government will showcase the initiatives taken to make the state an investment-friendly destination for investors and to carry out business more professionally.

Major obstacles

When asked about the potential of setting up industries in Nagaland, the chief minister replied that there is huge prospect for investors but the state is facing setbacks due to certain unresolved issues. He added that the landholding system, which is different from other states, is a major obstacle in this aspect.

Rio said that the previous government had consulted with various civil societies and landowners in the hope of relaxing certain locations, particularly in the foothill areas, for establishment of special economic development zones. He added that the government is still pursuing this opportunity as there is not a single industry, manufacturing sector or big institution in the state currently.

Stressing on the importance of establishing a special economic development zone in the foothill areas, citing the friendly topography and good connectivity as key factors for viability, the CM said Nagaland can’t compete with other states in terms of quality and pricing in the absence of proper connectivity.

Lamenting that Naga people don’t talk about economy, he said everybody should discuss it at all levels, including individual, family, village, community, and state as there is lot of potentials especially in agri-allied, food processing, tourism and others. He also reminded that the state government is providing loans without collateral through the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance initiative.

He went on to mention that the state government has requested the Centre for establishment of an Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Nagaland and is still pursuing it.

Cultural showcase

Rio said that the state government is looking forward to showcasing not only investment and business partnership opportunities in the state but also let the international delegates experience the unique culture, local cuisine, art, festivities, and scenic beauty of Nagaland during the event.

The delegation will be taken to some landmark in the state, including the Kisama Heritage Village for a mini Hornbill Festivalexperience and Kohima War Cemetery during their programme.

It may be mentioned delegation from 29 countries namely: Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, the UK, and the US, will participate in the event.

The diplomatic delegation includes ambassadors from Costa Rica, Cuba, Iceland, Jamaica, Paraguay and Panama; Deputy Head of Missions from Estonia; and council generals from Costa Rica and Germany.