A roundtable discussion involving partner countries and states was held at Bamboo Hall, Kisama, as part of the ongoing Hornbill Festival.
The event aimed to foster collaborations, partnerships, and networking opportunities between Nagaland and its partners, a DIPR report stated.
Chairing the program, Abu Metha, chairman of the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and Advisor to chief minister, highlighted the importance of looking beyond cultural exchanges to explore economic prospects.
He appreciated Sikkim for its strong support and active participation in the festival, with a large delegation in attendance.
Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan emphasized the potential for collaboration in coffee and millet cultivation, which are gaining traction in Nagaland due to their superior quality. He called for improved marketing networks and post-harvest infrastructure to maximize yields.
Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, noted that the Hornbill Festival showcases only a glimpse of Nagaland’s potential. She underscored the creativity and talent of the state’s youth and expressed optimism about partnerships with investors, envisioning mutual benefits.
Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of Peru to India, spoke about the cultural and traditional similarities between Peru and Nagaland. He emphasized the value of indigenous wisdom and encouraged partnerships in shared areas of interest.
Joint Secretary of IDAN, Reny Wilfred, presented key areas where Nagaland could collaborate with visiting partners, including agriculture, sports, tourism, and human resource development.
Invest India, a national investment promotion agency, praised Nagaland for transforming the Hornbill Festival into a platform for business and partnerships. It highlighted the establishment of IDAN as a pioneering effort in Northeast India to attract investments, particularly in tourism and industrial parks.
Annapurna Alley, secretary of Department of Information and Public Relations, Sikkim, drew parallels between the challenges and opportunities faced by Sikkim and Nagaland, especially in tourism and resource management. She commended Nagaland’s progress in utilizing bamboo resources and invited dignitaries to Sikkim’s 50th Statehood Day celebrations in May 2025.
MoUs signed: Two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the roundtable– between department of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, and Salesforce.com India Pvt. Ltd. and IDAN and Omsheel Foods.