Highlights of the plenary session of B20 Business Meet

The plenary session of the B20 Conference on opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnership in Agriculture, Food Processing, Tourism and Information Technology was held at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima on April 5, with the participation of representatives from different countries, business communities and stakeholders.
A DIRP report stated that, financial adviser, North Eastern Council, Gaigongdin Panmei in his address said that Inter-Ministerial Team was formed to improve foreign trade with North Eastern Region, and highlighted new industrial policy for North East Region. On the energy sector, he stressed on the potentials of 5G technology, 3D printing, Bamboo-Ethanol, Tissue Culture Nurseries, Natural Rubber, etc.
Agriculture Production Commissioner, R. Binchilo Thong spoke on Agriculture Business Potential in Nagaland, specifically mentioning turmeric, papaya, naga king chilli, packaging materials, planting materials, small and customised machinery.
Addressing on Agriculture & Food Processing, executive director, Godrej Agrovet Limited, Burjis Godrej highlighted on the booming sustainable oil palm cultivation in the North East Region and also the Government’s interest in investment for cultivation of oil palm.
Chairman, Echahaba Tea Growers Cooperative Society Limited, Dr. Aotoshi spoke on introducing prospective investors taking advantage of the G20 Summit. Head Certification Business TQ Cert Service Private Limited, Krishna Datta briefed on TQ Cert &TQ Services and its initiatives in organic certification and Indgap certification.
Expressing his perspectives, CEO and Managing Director, CubeTen Technologies Private Limited, Haobam Joyremba highlighted on the IT sector which can be applied in the field of agriculture, finance, education, tourism etc. He also spoke on the ‘Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.’
Founder and CEO, Resham Sutra Private Limited, Kunal Vaid spoke about the prospects in core sectors in industry perspective session textiles, and said that his company was working on improving life and livelihoods of rural textile, producers across the country and building India’s largest farm.
Chapter chairman, NE Association of Domestic Tour, Operations of India, Arijit Purkayastha spoke on the tourism and hospitality sectors, which were vital part of the global economy contributing substantially to job creations.
Commissioner and Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Kekhrievor Kevichusa, spoke on the Investment Opportunities and Support Ecosystem for doing Business in Nagaland, pointing out that Nagaland has many cottage industries based on handloom and handicraft. Expressing his pleasure on attending the B20 Business Meet, Ambassador, Cuba, Alejandro Simancas said that he has discovered the culture and traditions and witnessed the beauty of the landscape of Nagaland and also appreciated the hospitality of the State Government and its people. Ambassador, Iceland, Gudni Bragason shed light on the areas where Iceland and Nagaland can partner in, such as clean energy, tourism, health sector and research and development.
High Commissioner, Jamaica, Jason Keats Mathew Hall while addressing the delegates of the G20 Business Meet, highlighted the successful business models of Jamaica and the investor friendly environment in his country. He emphasised on the tremendous potential of the coffee industry in Nagaland as well as the tourism industry, and said that Jamaica was open to collaborate with Nagaland in developing the tourism sector. Ambassador and Consul General, Panama, Yasiel Burillo mentioned about the similarities between Panama and Nagaland, and briefly spoke on how her country was devoted to sustainable development. Congratulating the host, Nagaland for organising such a beautiful conclave, Ambassador, Paraguay, Fleming Raul Duarte said that there was a lot of similarities between the people of Paraguay and Nagaland when it came to the cultural practices and traditions. He also said that Paraguay was dedicated to promote eco-tourism and extended a warm welcome to the people of Nagaland to visit Paraguay for a cultural exchange programme.
Consul General, Germany, Manfred Auster acknowledged the ongoing political issue in Nagaland and said that the rule of law must prevail at the end in order to ensure a long lasting solution to any conflict. President, India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Matlub Ahmad suggested the State to set up a Task Force for ensuring fast development of trade, investment and connectivity for trade between Nagaland and Bangladesh. Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu Kense delivering the concluding remarks, said that much more needs to be done to fully utilize Nagaland’s potential in various sectors. She summarised the areas where Nagaland can offer the business community to invest in the State such as agri & allied sector, tourism, handicrafts and handlooms, human resources, IT, sports and music, etc.