In a significant development, a business delegation from the German Consulate held a roundtable meeting with key stakeholders here on November 30, making it the first-ever such international business engagement for Nagaland during the Hornbill Festival.
Barbara Voss, Consul General of Germany, Kolkata, appreciated Nagaland’s hospitality, highlighting potential areas such as environmental improvement, renewable energy, protection of cultural heritage, and promoting women, etc, for cooperation between Germany and Nagaland.
Tom Reiner, regional director of Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, identified Naga products that could be potential hit among German consumers, expressing a commitment to facilitating their entry into German markets.
The discussions delved into sectors such as capacity building, handicrafts, bamboo-based industries, and bio-resources, with Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) chief operating officer (COO) Rollan Lotha highlighting opportunities in beekeeping.
The German delegation expressed interest in contributing to Nagaland’s tourism industry.
Representatives from Kohima Science College and Nagaland University proposed initiatives for knowledge creation, teacher and student exchanges, and a multidisciplinary approach to traditional knowledge systems.
The identified areas for engagement spanned social sciences and technology, cultural exchange, sports collaboration, climate change, art and music, and skill development, signalling a comprehensive and promising partnership between Nagaland and Germany.
Earlier, Investments & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) chairman Abu Metha extended a warm welcome to the German delegation, emphasising Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant festivals, and unique traditions.
Expressing gratitude for the collaboration, he said he foresaw mutual benefits in the journey ahead. A notable aspect of the meeting was the exploration of unconventional food choices, including superfoods such as insects and worms, positioning Nagaland as an emerging destination for experiential tourism. This was stated in a DIPR press release.