Rio woos investors at NorthEast Global Investors Summit

Inviting the investors to invest in Nagaland, state chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, stated that the state government has instituted a dedicated government agency for investments and CSR programmes—Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), which was pushing investment and corporate-friendly policies besides functioning as a single window clearance and ensuring ease of doing business.
Delivering keynote address at the North East Global Investors Summit 2023, Investors Roundtable held under the theme, “An Emerging Investment Destination”, at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima, on Saturday, Rio said that since the attainment of Statehood in 1963, Nagaland has been an incredible story of development and progress. He said that the present government has dynamic outlook to keep pace with the growth of other states in the country and continuously making efforts for creation of investment-friendly ecosystem in Nagaland while formulating policies and incorporating good governance within the State.
Rio said that the state government has taken concrete steps to introduce new policies, laws and regulations to improve investment climate.
He said that suitable guidelines have been made to ensure smooth and easy availability of land in the State for investors. The chief minister also informed that various policy advocacies to promote investments into the state were also being prepared to provide investors with facilitation services at all the stages.
Rio said that the state government realized the lack of policy advocacy which discouraged new investors and existing investors looking to expand their operations. Therefore, he said that a more vibrant and functional mechanism that encouraged investors to resolve administrative barriers was being established so as to generate effective communication channel between investors and the government.
In its effort towards making Nagaland even more attractive as investment destination, Rio informed that the state government have proposed to establish new modern, fully planned township of an area measuring around 39 sq. km. (3900 ha) adjoining the most important National Highway of the State (NH-29), which is also part of the Asian Highway 1.
He reminded that Nagaland, as the gateway to South-East Asian countries, shared 215km international boundary with Myanmar with five identified trade centres. Rio said that this corridor was not just for State, but for entire country to create trade promotion and give wings to the Act East policy advocated by the Central government.
In order to facilitate better and cost-efficient transportation, the chief minister said the state was pursuing with Central government for development of an Inland Waterway on Tizu-Zungki river, the only east flowing river in the State and draining into Myanmar. He said this would further help promote Indo-Myanmar trade and commerce and link up with Southeast Asian countries.
The chief minister expressed hope that the summit would be an opportunity to explore trade and investment potential of Nagaland. He also expressed gratitude to Ministry of DoNER.
Secretary ministry of DoNER, Lok Ranjan, in his speech, spoke on the strength of region and how collaboration could transform its resources to wealth.
He informed that DoNER ministry has limited resources, but added that one’s limitations could be transformed into wealth of opportunity, especially for a resource rich state like Nagaland.
Ranjan said that the ministry based its decisions on hard data and objective assessments, focusing on opportunities in sectors such as primary, agricultural and allied, tourism, startups, and small to medium enterprises.
DoNER secretary said that the ministry was also fostering an ecosystem approach in collaboration with leading institutions in each of the sector which would benefit states of the region, adding that the approach has been met with positive responses.
He expressed hope that the summit would not be a one off intervention but signifies the beginning of continued efforts for growth of Northeast. “The goal is not only to promote the welfare of individual entities but also to contribute to nation-building and the new India narrative,” he stated.
He assured that DoNER ministry was dedicated to playing a significant role in the journey, although limited with resources. He said that the ongoing initiative was expected to lead up to the global investor summit scheduled for August-September, and continuing beyond that.
Delivering a special address, deputy chief minister, TR Zeliang, stated that the presence of investors has given immense confident and hope to build Nagaland into a vibrant and progressive state of India.
Zeliang expressed optimism that the state, though rugged and small in size, would soon witness investment boom in coming years, if process of dialogue on investment continued.
Deputy CM lamented that Nagaland’s capability to excel and prosper along with the rest of the country has been disrupted by the prolonged unresolved “Indo-Naga” political issue for many years. He said that Nagas have struggled and sustained thus far with meagre resources.
Zeliang, however, said that Nagaland was gradually seeing a ray of hope towards new progressive Nagaland on all fronts.
He said that law and order situation in the state was by and large normal as of now.
Zeliang expressed confidence that under leadership of Prime Minister Modi, a solution to the Naga political issue would be achieved sooner than later. He said that all fear and apprehension that had been instilled by the political issue in the mind of investors would “soon vanish.”
Delivering speech on the topic “Nagaland- An emerging investment destination”, state chief secretary, J Alam, stated that over the past few years, the state government had undertaken various initiatives to strengthen infrastructural development in the state. He said that infrastructure development not only facilitated better movement of goods and services, but also streamlined logistics, reducing costs and increasing efficiency for businesses creating a favourable business environment.
Another valuable asset, he said was the people that set Nagaland apart as an investment destination. Alam said that Nagaland was home to talented and skilled workforce, known for their resilience, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit.
He pointed out that youth of Nagaland were increasingly embracing higher education, acquiring advanced skills, and keeping pace with the latest technologies. He reminded that with a literacy rate of over 80%, Nagaland has a pool of capable individuals who were eager to contribute to the growth of the state and its economy.
The chief secretary informed that Nagaland has favourable policy framework in place to attract investments. He said that Nagaland Startup Policy 2019 was passed to facilitate growth of startups and to establish Nagaland as a model in the North East Region of India.
According to chief secretary, Nagaland was in the process to revise the Nagaland State Industrial Policy, with one of the goals focusing on special incentives for 100% export-oriented units.
He said that Nagaland State Logistics Policy was also being formulated and was at its final stages.
The chief secretary said the state government has prioritized business reforms aimed at providing basic amenities and ease of doing business.
He expressed hope that the Roundtable summit would provide mutually beneficial partnership, cultivate lasting relationships and take one step closer to achieving strong and independent State, and Nation as a whole.
Meanwhile, delivering the concluding remarks, advisor industries and commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, stated that Nagaland, with its strategic location and rich cultural heritage, offers a unique opportunity for investors to tap into a burgeoning market in the North East Region. She said that the state government had already taken several measures to attract investment and improve the business climate in the state. However, he admitted that much needed to be done to fully utilize Nagaland’s potential for growth.
Jakhalu highlighted the gathering on the potential of Agri and allied sector, tourism, rich handicraft and handloom sector, IT sector, gateway to South East Asian countries, and English speaking and high literacy rate, etc, in the state.
She requested and invited every company and organization at the Summit to take advantage of the state’s unique strength and resources.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Neingulie Nakhro, welcome address and introductory remarks delivered by chairman, IDAN, Abu Metha.
A short presentation on North East Global Investors Summit was delivered by Invest India and FICCI.