Union minister Kalraj Mishra to visit Nagaland

Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Kalraj Mishra would be visiting Nagaland later this year during October or November.
Kalraj Mishra announced this during the 5th National Conference on MSME Financing and MSME Linkages held at Kolkata September 19 and 20, where he was the chief guest.
Union Minister emphasized that difficult topography of most hilly north eastern states combined with lack of infrastructure like connectivity, power and skilled manpower inhibited the growth of industrial sector in the region.
Further, he said most of the entrepreneurs were largely first generation entrepreneurs and required institutional support. It was further pointed out that most of the beneficiaries selected under the PMEGP Scheme for the last 2 years, were yet to be assisted by the Banks.
Earlier, addressing the gathering as the guest of honour, Nagaland Minister of Industries & Commerce G. Kaito Aye invited the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the organizers of the conference to Nagaland. He stated that Nagaland lagged behind in the MSME sector due to the problem of insurgency and perceived security apprehensions by investors from the mainland.
Kaito, however, maintained that Nagaland with abundant resources was safe for any determined investors. Minister also pointed out the difficulty in accessing credit from the Banks and financial institutions, which were reluctant to come forward to extend such services to the entrepreneurs of the region.
Kaito also highlighted some of the resources and strength of Nagaland for possible MSME intervention, which include tourism, handloom & handicrafts, agri& allied sector, forest, bamboo, medicinal & aromatic plants, mineral resources, human & social resources and industrial infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata assured the delegation from Nagaland that that ICC would also organize similar program in Nagaland coinciding with the visit of the Union Minister for MSME.
Officials accompanying the minister of industries & commerce included B. Longkumer, OSD (industries & commerce) and I Bendangliba, additional director of industries & commerce.