A French delegation visiting Nagaland explored collaborations in culture, tourism, education, sports and hospitality sectors.
DIMAPUR — A five-member French delegation led by Marc Boudin, Director of Alliance Française du Bengale, is on a six-day visit to Nagaland from June 12 to the 17th, engaging in a series of high-level meetings focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as culinary arts, culture and traditions, tourism and hospitality, sports and preventive medicine, French language education, professional development, international media promotion, and corporate and institutional partnerships.
In a press release, the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), stated that the delegation includes prominent personalities from various sectors: Linda Myriam Bortoletto, traveller and explorer; Olivier Karim Thienot, founder of l'École du Vin de France; Damien Laurent Marie Monnot, Chief Medical Officer of Olympique de Marseille; and Moitrayee Dhar, Cultural Manager at Alliance Française du Bengale.
IDAN Chairman Abu Metha chaired a roundtable meeting involving the French delegation, senior government officials, and relevant private stakeholders.
During the discussions, he emphasised the importance of establishing partnerships and collaborations, strengthening people-to-people ties, promoting diplomacy, and exploring other mutually beneficial opportunities.
Advisor for Information & Public Relations (IPR) and Soil & Water Conservation, Daochier I Imchen, who also attended the meeting, highlighted the need to promote Nagaland's rich cultural heritage and transform it into a sustainable economic asset.
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He spoke about initiatives undertaken by the IPR department, including cine fests, film festivals, animation, and gaming, and invited the French delegation to collaborate in these areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Marc Boudin noted the similarities between the French and Naga peoples and described Nagaland as a "region of culture."
He said that the visit aimed not only to promote French culture but also to build connections between French and Naga cultures while promoting Nagaland in France through partnerships and exchange programmes.
Among those present were Theja Meru, chairman of the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA); Kvulo Lorin, chairman of the Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC); Rajeev Ranjan, CEO of Niathu Group of Hotels; senior officials from the departments of Art & Culture, IPR, Tourism, Horticulture, Youth Resources & Sports, and Industries & Commerce; representatives from the Nagaland Olympic Association, Nagaland Tourism Association, WENN, Heritage Beverages of Nagaland, The White Owl, and other organisations.
In collaboration with the Niathu Group of Hotels, the industry partner for the delegation's visit, a series of activities were organised, including culinary appreciation and food-pairing sessions, a panel discussion for football enthusiasts, and the inauguration of the Football Corner at Ruby Café 24x7.
The visit is a follow-up to the Country Partner Business Roundtable held during last year's Hornbill Festival, during which the Ambassador of France to India led a high-level French delegation to Nagaland and identified several potential areas for collaboration between France and the state, the release stated.