Nagaland home minister Imkong L. Imchen on Friday underscored major progress achieved by Nagaland in various sectors during 47 years of its statehood, and invited the leaders of European industry and businesses to visit and observe the vast potentials available in Nagaland.
The home minister was speaking at interactive session of UK INDIA Business Council (UKIBC) programme on ‘Opportunities for UK Companies in Eastern and North Eastern India’ at London, United Kingdom on Friday.
He termed the occasion as “historic” for Nagaland as well as the region, as it signified the first step of their participation in the emerging global trade economy.
Outlining some major progress made in Nagaland during the 47 years of its statehood, he invited the leaders of European industry and businesses to visit and observe the vast potentials available in Nagaland.
The minister, listing out those progressive fields such literacy that stood above 70% higher than the Indian national average, expansion in agriculture sector state’s GDP indicating that the economy has registered a healthy growth of about 15% etc.
He described Nagaland as a veritable botanical garden having three entries in the Guinness Book of World records- hottest chilly, tallest rice plant, and tallest Rhododendron tree.
He outlined the growth in various sectors in Nagaland and substantial scope related to those sectors such as Horticultural products; Floriculture; Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission; forest produces such as timber, cane and bamboo; tourism; traditional crafts etc.
Imchen said the state has rich mineral resources which were still largely untapped, although exploration and exploitation of oil have just begun.
Imchen also highlighted the state’s rich cultural heritage, progress of music from being a hobby to a profession,
its high potential for bamboo development etc.
He also spoke on the state’s poor infrastructure, subsistence economy, social turmoil, insurgency and an environment of fear psychosis which had engulfed people for several decades. However, he said despite these constraints, Naga youth have stood out as examples of success whenever they were given opportunity.
He spoke of “Communitisation” of public institutions which has been hailed countrywide, winning recognition at national as well as international platforms.
Union Minister of Urban Development Kamal Nath was guest of honour at the interactive session, which was addressed by UKIBC president Lord Karan Bilimoria, Indian Chamber of Commerce Sr. vice president Pajiv Mundra, UK Minister for Decentralisation & Cities Right Hon. Greg Clark, acting Indian High Commissioner to UK R. N. Prasad.
Panelists of the programme included minister of power, industries & commerce and public enterprise Assam Pardyut Bordoloi, Nagaland home minister Imkong Imchen, chief secretary of Assam and secretary tourism, Manipur.
The state’s delegation which was headed by the home minister included MLA Toshipokba, commissioner & secretary industries & commerce L.H. Thangi Mannen and Nagaland Hotels Limited managing director B. Longkumer. ng director B. Longkumer.
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