By Imna Longchar
Kohima(Nagaland), Nov 17 : Chief minister, Nephiu Rio on Wednesday officially launched the “Export Facilitation Cell” of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) assisted by North Eastern Council (NEC) in the presence of Vice-Chancellor, IIFT, Dr Manoj Pant, at the Capital Convention Centre, here .
According to an official bulletin, Rio, while speaking at the programme said that the IIFT will be a new beginning in import and export sector not only for the state of Nagaland but also for the entire northeastern states.
Adding that the main objective of setting up the export facilitation cell in Nagaland was to encourage and assist the existing and upcoming potential entrepreneur and setting up an organized system to do business, Rio also said that the Nagas are still a “consumer society” and not a “producing society” and therefore the government needs to facilitate.
He also called on the Naga youth and the entrepreneurs to come up with dedication and choose certain disciplines and be an expert in it.
Rio also urged the entrepreneurs to take advantage of the facilities and promote their activities through the Cell.
Making a remark that the Nagas need to stop talking only about politics instead start focusing on the state’s economy, Rio was of the view that though the Nagas are blessed with good natural resources, unless, we exploit our resources, it would remain dominant.
Rio also shared that due to the pandemic, the realization to be self sufficient have also cropped up even for a small state like Nagaland and without “self-sufficiency”, there is no import or export.
He added that on realizing the need, the state government along with the department had formulated the Naga model of agri and allied sector in a compact area on how to develop and keep the farmers and the people active in producing.
The Chief Minister also encouraged the youth to be more focused and take responsibilities and not take the easy way out.
He added that many youth have certificates but due to lack of expertise in certain discipline many cannot find jobs in the market, as one need to be experts or qualified in certain disciplines.
“We have to teach our children and students to take up other disciplines also, where they can get employment or get more opportunities to compete with the outside world”, Rio said while also adding that the hope lies with the youth and that even though they are talented, they need to be more focused and at the same time dedicated.
He later urged the departments, state agencies and entrepreneurs to work together as team Nagaland and see that such good initiatives are implanted.
Retired Nagaland Chief Secretary, and CEO, IDAN, Alemtemshi Jamir, delivering his welcome speech said that the launching of the export cell in Nagaland was a giant leap towards the export and import sector in the state and for the people of Nagaland.
He said that the facilitation cell would be a cell where people can come, enquire and training would also be provided by IIFT experts on matter of trade and commerce.
Overview of the export facilitation cell was presented by Vice-Chancellor, Dr Manoj Pant, Professor ,CTFL Nitin Seth and Secretary, NEC, Moses Chalai.
Agriculture Production Commissioner, Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema, Deputy Director Industries & Commerce,Lipongse Thongtsar, Member COA & Convener North East Region, EPCH & Proprietor, Heirloom Naga, Jasmine Zeliang, and CMD PS Group & MD, Double Aces, Hongkong Pradipta Shetty, presented sectoral highlights during the event.
