Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman graced the inaugural programme of the Nagaland CSR and Investment Conclave 2022 as the Chief Guest at NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima on 22^nd August.

Sitharaman, narrating her conversation with the Chief Minister of Nagaland, said the anxious voice of the Chief Minister saying that Nagaland does not get enough CSR investment has made it possible to bring all the business leaderships and investors together in the form of a CSR Conclave. She urged the cooperates and industries to naturally choose Nagaland although it would take a little bit of effort.

On mandatory CSR investments, she said the CSR board takes the decision and depending on social activity funds are provided, and CSR happens when investments take place. She added that without the mandatory rule a lot of investors have come in to check up, and the Conclave should be the stepping stone for many more investments.

She mentioned the growing importance of Healthcare and Logistics, and the youths can take an active part. She expressed the need to set up CII training centres for the young energetic people to get skilled along with certificates and take a leadership role in those sectors.

She said organic vegetables and fruits are in great demand which the state produces but aggregating, storing and finding a market is a challenge. She also stressed identifying one product in each district with common facilities and digitise marketing- it can be agriculture or handicraft product.

Emphasizing the importance of branding, she said “it is a big deal once you identify it with an image, global markets are waiting but efforts have to be made to brand it.”She also suggested bringing the Atal Tinkering Lab, a flagship initiative of the Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog. She viewed homestays in Nagaland as a major potential where a lot of domestic tourists could experience the natural lifestyle of the Nagas since a lot of youth in India are very mobile.

To ensure CSR reaches Nagaland, the Union Minister suggested a task force of Naga youth to move around the country and to ensure the building brand of Nagaland. She expressed appreciation to the companies and investors who had brought in investment, and ensure giving resources for equal development of all the states in India.

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio speaking at the CSR and Investment Conclave stated that the conclave would be a game changer for Nagaland. He said that the Union Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman extended her full support and extended its scope when she was approached. He appreciated the Central Government for bringing a greater focus on the development of the North Eastern region.

The Chief Minister said there is scope and potential for companies to increase their Corporate Social Responsibility spending in Nagaland and the Conclave would provide a platform to harness the various opportunities the State offers. He added that in seeking CSR investments, the State Government is not trying to replace its own development initiatives. He opined that the Conclave will deepen engagement with the private sector and banks; encourage partnerships between local entrepreneurs, start-ups and established companies across the Country.

Rio said that in addition to CSR, the State Government is expecting companies to explore the untapped investment potential of the State in various sectors such as forest, agriculture, education, tourism etc. On the banking front, he hoped that the banking track of the Conclave would result in more hassle free credit off taking from banks and would also contribute to the development endeavours and also promote budding entrepreneurs. He hoped that the Conclave turns into a regular event to help realize the development goals.

President designate, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), R. Dinesh, speaking at the inaugural event emphasised the need to develop the connectivity of the region to neighbouring countries and also with the rest of India so as to enable the development of the North East Region. He further acknowledged that the focus should now be shifted to local development and skill building and prepare the ground for further manufacturing investment in the region.

He also said that developing a logistics skill development road map and improving storage facilities and connectivity in Nagaland will not only help the local agriculture sector and other local manufacturing units but will also pave the way for future manufacturing investments to come into the state. He further proposed that the CII would like to set up a logistics and supply chain training school in partnership with the CII institute of logistics and the logistics sector skill council provided that the government of Nagaland is willing to give land to set up the institute.

Secretary NEC, Moses Chalai, speaking from the North East Regional perspective said that the infrastructure development in the region in recent years has seen a dramatic change. He also said that although much has changed in the region there was still much to be done especially when it comes to the need for private investments to come into the region not just to bring about economic development but also to create job opportunities for the people.

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman during the inaugural programme of the Nagaland CSR and Investment Conclave launched various initiatives at NBCC Convention Center, Kohima on 22^nd August 2022.

Some of the projects launched included Credit Outreach Facilitation Unit, Tailoring Training Unit, Selco-Medical Unit Solarization, CII Partnership on ICONN 2020, Blood Segregation & Storage Unit, Skilling and Animation Centre, Mobile Science Labs, Adobe Creative Academy, Model Nursing College through Public-Private Partnership, Entrepreneurship Development Centre, CT Scan, Dialysis Unit and other High Impact Interventions, Histopathology Unit at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, Upgradation of Nursing School in Kohima and Dimapur into Nursing Colleges, Solar Cold Storage.

Concluding remarks and a vote of thanks were delivered by Minister, Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu.

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