EMN
Dimapur, February 27
The Naga business community in Nagaland has sought intervention of the central government in revving the nonexistent industries of the state and to inject more impetus in developing assets to promote industrial growth.
The Naga business community in Nagaland is ‘in dire need of government intervention and strong will to promote the new generation business community,” the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) stated in a representation addressed to the ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) on Saturday, February 27. The representation was addressed to Kalraj Mishra, the Union Minister of MSME on behalf of Naga businessmen.
The organization stated in the representation that Nagaland has missed many opportunities at having to be part of the success story of Indian economic growth with India’s economic liberalization in the 90s and Look East Policy. They remain mere slogans for local entrepreneurs, the organization stated.
“Once again opportunity has come back knocking at our doorsteps with the Govt. of India initiative of Make in India and Act East Policy to make India a global manufacturing superpower and this time round BAN is determined to make Nagaland part of this success story. You are well aware of Naga entrepreneurs consist mostly of first generation with 99% engaged in trading and retailing which is also the overall picture of Nagaland economic activity,” the BAN stated.
“However, in the process many Naga entrepreneurs who have had exposure and experience with the market are today confident enough to diversify their activities into manufacturing, service and IT sector.”
But the Naga business community in Nagaland is in dire need of government intervention and “strong will” to promote the new generation businessmen of the community, it stated.
The organization listed out a number of areas that the central government can develop for Nagaland and promote economic growth.
(Given in verbatim)
Setting up Manufacturing Park
Nagaland despite being one of the oldest states in India is yet have any functional manufacturing park/hub worth mentioning. Therefore, setting up exclusive Manufacturing Park for genuine Entrepreneurs is one of the most important pre-requisite for any tangible socio-economic development in Nagaland. Taking privilege of your visit to Nagaland BAN would like to request your honorable office to set up MANUFACTURING PARK Dimapur, Nagaland. To make this project a success story in this neglected part of the country under your dynamic leadership;
I). BAN would like to manage and run the park as we have technical and professional resources capable to manage with sense of ownership. It is important to bring to your notice that previous parks run by State Government have failed due to lack of ownership and responsibility.
II). BAN would like to like to play facilitating role for providing information, data, statistics and technical inputs required by the department in the process of setting up the park.
North East region usually does not attract big investment proposals in any sector due to its isolated location, contributing less than 4% of the country industrial activity. NEIIPP was introduced to make our region competitive with other parts of the country.
However with its suspension in December 2014, the enabling environment created through this policy stopped. We request our honourable minister, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises to carry our plea forward to review the decision and operationalize the NEIIPP, keeping in mind the economic condition of the region.
MSME was established in Nagaland in 1965 and for last 50 years MSME has being functioning under the operational head of Deputy Director the result being, MSME Nagaland has not been able to function to its full potential to facilitate the entrepreneurs. BAN request your honourable office to address this issue at the earliest by upgrading MSME office to MSME Directorate in Nagaland.
BAN acknowledges and appreciates the Ministry of MSME under your able leadership for walking extra mile to help North East entrepreneurs. In this connection BAN on behalf of the North East business community would further like put forth a suggestion and request to set up separate North-East Cell under your ministry. This initiative will not only bridge gaps in administrative inconveniences but will be able to cater to specific needs of the North-East region.
Nagaland has great potential for food and agro based industries and sufficient organic produce. Many unorganized units had sprung up under this sector, and if left unattended will pose serious problems. Nagaland state has no testing lab facility, and in order to seriously promote these industries, it is inevitable to have food testing laboratory in Nagaland under MSME. It is therefore requested that an Extension Testing laboratory at Nagaland be established.
BAN would like to remind you that your kind and prompt redressal of our request will be a mile stone in ushering into a New Economic Era of Nagaland. Your prompt intervention, encouragement and assistance will be kept in record so that the future generation will be aware and appreciate your good Office for the sincere and genuine support to the first generation Naga business houses.
The Business Association of Nagas is an organization comprising Naga entrepreneurs and business people and works to promote, encourage and strengthen Naga business community and ‘be a credible force and generators of employment for thousands of educated unemployed Nagas who are totally dependent on government jobs.’
It added that since inception, the BAN had been making concerted efforts to promote “one another and encourage young educated unemployed to be self reliant and productive, which will ultimately result in Nagas being a major contributors to the state economy thereby the national economy, instead of being a burden or a liability, ultimately achieving our vision towards developed Naga economy.”
