Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 24
A group of likeminded Naga businessmen and entrepreneurs based in Kohima have recently come together and initiated the formation of an organization with the view to uplift, promote and safeguard the local business community in the state capital. The outcome of the initiative, a body under the nomenclature ‘Naga Business Association Kohima’ (NBAK) with ‘Fostering vibrant Economy’ as its motto, was formally launched today at a formal programme held at Hotel Japfü, Kohima.
Speaking at the launching event, Entrepreneurs Associates CEO, Neichüte Doulo said the mindset of tribals like the Nagas, is not shaped to how to do trade but to cultivate to sustain the people. He said this is one of the main reasons why non-Nagas, particularly immigrants from mainland India as well as from Bangladesh, have started coming to Nagaland to do business. More on page 5
Over the years, he pointed out, immigrants started coming to the state not just for trade but to settle down. While stating that he is not against immigration, the social entrepreneur voiced concern that immigrants are overwhelming indigenous citizens when it comes to business.
Towards this he said the local entrepreneurs have a very important role to play. He underscored the need for Naga entrepreneurs to develop a competitive edge very important to compete with non-local business community.
Doulo also lamented that very few Nagas think of business seriously, citing that in the 1990s the young Nagas who took up businesses were considered losers. It was only during the mid-2000 that people started to give a serious thought on entrepreneurship, he said and emphasized the need to change mindset and rethink if occupying a chair and a table in a government office defines success.
“I long for the day when an organization will congratulate a person for having started a small enterprise, and not just talk about officers in the newspapers… I long for the day when they would look at the business community as contributors to our society,” he stated.
While acknowledging the difficulties that a business person faces like extortion, he expressed hope that organizations like the NBAK would step up to help the local business community in such matters. He asserted that problems will always exist but he called upon the Naga entrepreneurs to look at the good side of business and strive to emancipate the Naga people of the mindset that only “Biharis or Marwaris” can do business successfully. He wished the newly launched NBAK the best in its endeavours and hoped that its membership will increase.
Mission Facilitators USA director, Dr. Mazie Nakhro also delivered a brief speech on the occasion and underscored that the need of the hour is for the Naga business people and entrepreneurs to become an economic engine for Nagaland. He observed that Nagas have been doing politics for so many years but as far as doing economics is concerned, they are just starting. He also encouraged the local entrepreneurs to begin with the right mindset and to help bring about structural changes in the society.
Dr. Mazie empathized with the business community that they are required to share whatever little profit they earn, with different factions. The government is not providing the enforcement of the rule of law, he stated, adding, “We say there are so many people in the name of sovereignty collecting taxes, and they say this is a political problem and not a law and order situation.” This, he asserted, is one reason why the Nagas are not able to do as much as they could be doing.
Also maintaining that the state government is not a pro-market government, he referred to the lack in trade agreements with others and the trend of asking from Delhi the needs of the state. He pointed to the need of good trade agreements, pro-market trade agreements between states and even internationally, and also the need to develop the local businesses so that they can sell their products to different parts of India and abroad.
Meanwhile, the president of NBAK Khatsükhrie Kesiezie highlighted the aims and objectives of the association. He also mentioned that any genuine Naga business person and entrepreneur operating within the jurisdiction of Kohima can be a member of the association.
Faith Harvest Church pastor, Meren Kips prayed for the new team of office bearers after they were introduced to the gathering.
Besides the president, the organization will be led by Nitoshe Sheqi as the vice president, Atuo Kapfo as secretary, Atou Liezietsu as the press secretary and seven others.
