[caption id="attachment_140379" align="alignleft" width="550"]
FICCI chairman NE, Rajit Barthakur (middle), Temjoy Toy, Menukhol John and others seen during the press conference held at Kohima on September 21.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 21 (EMN): The 4th edition of the North East Connectivity Summit with the theme ‘Act East from Nagaland’ organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is all set to begin on September 22 at NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima.
The focus of the two days summit will be on building physical and digital connectivity, market linkages, etc in the region and discussion on the biodiversity and bridging cultural diversity between the region and its neighbouring countries.
This was informed by chairman FICCI North East Advisory Council, Ranjit Barthakur at a press conference held at SIRD guest house today.
He said the 4th Edition of North East Connectivity Summit aims to pose and seek answers to come critical questions on regional and cross border connectivity, identification of border locations, developing complementaries in Nagaland and rest of North East.
Describing the roads in Nagaland as ‘shocking’, Barthakur maintained some core issues will be discussed on connectivity, policy recommendations, road map for connectivity, opportunities for collaboration with neighbouring countries, while deliberations will be moderated to strategize connectivity and infrastructure development for creation of wealth in the area of social, economic and ecological enterprises.
Terming Nagaland as a ‘unique state’ with tremendous diversity and potential, Barthakur opined that the state ‘needs and cries’ for a different model unlike the models of other states in the country.
Though NE states shares international borders with huge economic political for trade and commerce, he felt that the region has not been able to capitalise on this advantage due to lack of connectivity infrastructures in terms of roadways, airways, waterways, digital connectivity etc.
However, he was optimistic that this Summit will bring a positive outcome with all the stakeholders including the state governments and central government agencies through deliberations and recommendations towards designing a combined sustainable strategy for connectivity within and outside Northeast Region.
It was learned that during last 3 years, North East Connectivity Summit (NECS) has helped in bringing into focus the opportunities in developing connectivity of North East and its associated strategic and economic advantages for the entire India. The summit has metamorphosed into a unique platform for strategic dialogue between various stakeholders including government of India, BBIN and South Asian countries, private sectors and others.
Conceptualised by FICCI, the summit was designed as a cross sectoral initiative with the objective of highlighting the connectivity gaps and proposing a comprehensive connectivity agenda for the Northeast Region by encouraging private sector investment in connectivity infrastructure was further built into the program.
The inaugural session of the 2-day summit will be held on September 22 at 10 am which will be addressed by prominent personalities.
The inaugural session will be followed by a three breakaway sessions on ‘Policy Forum’ and roundtable on ‘International connectivity initiatives’ and ‘harnessing shared energy resources and biodiversity.’
Topics to be covered on the second day through roundtable are ‘tourism and people to people connectivity’; ‘sub-regional economic integration’, ‘intra-regional connectivity’ and ‘leveraging digital connectivity’ followed by valedictory programme.
Stating that the 4th edition of NECS will be the biggest and most comprehensive of all the summits held so far, Additional Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy informed that more than 300 delegates are expected to attend the summit with foreign delegates from Japan, Russia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Laos, Bangladesh and Thailand.
Renowned corporations and companies like Mitsubishi, Bitchem, Air Asia, Global Hotels, Taj Hotels, Jaybee Group, Jet Airways, Druk, IL&FS, OTPC, Biman Bangladesh and Delloite and multilaterals from JICA, World Bank and UNESCAP will be part of the summit.
