DIMAPUR — The
Nagaland State Export Summit 2024, organised by the Department of Industries
and Commerce, was held at the Bamboo Hall in Kisama on Saturday.
Delivering the keynote address, the director of Industries
and Commerce, P Tokugha Sema, emphasised the summit's significance for
entrepreneurs, particularly during the Hornbill Festival. He asserted that
attendees would glean valuable insights from industry experts during technical
sessions, especially regarding product exportation.
While Nagaland currently exports goods like coffee and
fruits, he stated that greater efforts are needed to expand the global market
presence. Sema acknowledged the potential of Nagaland's entrepreneurs but
stressed the need to overcome procedural obstacles.
The summit, he added, would provide guidance on navigating
those challenges and connecting with international customers. He further
highlighted the numerous schemes available to entrepreneurs through the central
and state governments and encouraged the attendees to avail those
opportunities.
Shanavas C, secretary of Industries and Commerce, has
described Nagaland's export sector as nascent that largely focused on local
markets. He noted that few entrepreneurs currently export to national or
international markets.
The government, Shanavas emphasised, aims to facilitate the
global reach of products with export potential. He stressed on maintaining high
product quality. He also encouraged consistent effort and a focus on branding
and packaging to establish a distinct ‘Brand Nagaland.’
He advised entrepreneurs to prioritise market understanding,
cater to customer needs and wants and implement effective product promotion
strategies. He concluded by emphasising that a 10% government workforce would
not drive Nagaland's development but the entrepreneurs must be the driving
force of economic progress.
The Nagaland State Export Summit was held with special focus
on ‘One District One Product,’ to boost the economy of each district.
The technical session was focused on state export plan,
export procedures and documentation, postharvest management and marketing of
spices, experience sharing, Dal Ghar Niryat Kendra, support schemes and
assistance to entrepreneurs, credit linkage for farmers, producers and
entrepreneurs.
