Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio officially launched the ‘Export Facilitation Cell’ of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade assisted by North Eastern Council (NEC) in the presence of Vice Chancellor IIFT, Dr Manoj Pant at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on 17th November 2021.

Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio speaking at the event said Indian Institution of Foreign Trade will be a new beginning in import and export sector not only for our State but also for the entire North-eastern state. He said that the main objective of setting up the export facilitation cell in Nagaland was to encourage and assists the existing and upcoming potential entrepreneur and setting up an organised system to do business.

Rio said that still we are a consumer society and not a producing society and therefore government needs to facilitate and youth and entrepreneurs have to come up with dedication and choose certain disciplines and be an expert in it. He urged the entrepreneur to take advantage of the facilities and promote their activities through this cell.

Rio also remarked that our people need to stop talking only about politics and start focusing on our economy adding that life is only about economy. He also said that even if we have good natural resources unless we exploit our resources it will remain dominant. Rio also said that due to pandemic the realization to be self sufficient has also cropped up even for a small state like Nagaland and without self-sufficient there is no import or export. Rio said realizing the need the state government along with the department had formulated the Naga model of agri. and allied sector in a compact area on how to develop and keep the farmers and the people active in producing.

The Chief Minister also encouraged the youth to be more focus and take responsibilities and not take the easy way out. He added that many youth have certificates but due to lack of expertise in certain discipline many cannot find jobs in the market, as one need to be experts or qualified in certain disciplines. He said that we have to teach our children and students to take up other disciplines also, where they can get employment or get more opportunities to compete with the outside world.

Rio said that our hope lies in our youth adding that even though our youths are talented they need to be more focus and dedicated. He also said that in order to compete in national and international level one cannot do anything half heartedly and one must also see what resources are readily available in our state and enterprise on that. He also urged the departments, state agencies and entrepreneurs to work together as team Nagaland and see that such good initiatives are implanted.

CEO, IDAN, Alemtemshi Jamir delivering his welcome speech said that the launching of the export cell in Nagaland is a giant leap towards the export and import sector in the state and for the people of Nagaland. He also said that the facilitation cell will be a cell where people can come enquire and training will be provided by IIFT experts on matter of trade and commerce.

Overview of the export facilitation cell was presented by Vice Chancellor, Dr Manoj Pant, Professor CTFL Nitin Seth and Secretary NEC, Moses Chalai.

Agriculture Production Commissioner Nagaland Y Kikheto Sema, Deputy Director Industries & Commerce Er Lipongse Thongtsar, Member COA& Convener North East Region EPCH & Proprietor Heirloom Naga Jasmine Zeliang and CMD PS Group & MD, Double Aces Hongkong Pradipta Shetty presented sectoral highlights during at the event.

                                                                                    (Esuihangle, IA)