Business Association of Nagas members with Mercy Epao, Jt Secretary, MSME and others during an interactive session cum dinner.
Dimapur, November 25 (MExN): The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) during an interactive session cum dinner with Mercy Epao, Jt Secretary, MSME as a special guest submitted a representation requesting the intervention of the ministry in the functioning of MSME Nagaland under the post of director, with all the vacant posts (ministerial & technical) to be filled; state of the art Mineral and Food Testing Lab for MSME, extension Centre of Nagaland Tool Room and Training Centre (NTTC) in every district for impartation of skill development based on One District One Product (ODOP model), and immediate establishment of NSIC office in Nagaland for the benefit of all MSME entrepreneurs for implementation of various schemes available.
Addressing the session, the Jt Secretary said, “I firmly believe that BAN, being an apex business body representing all sections of Naga entrepreneurs, can act as an effective influencer. It can immensely contribute towards creating a very positive entrepreneurial ecosystem through interventions at each stage of the entire value chain which includes backward and forward linkages and not just the production process.”
She stated that creating wealth from waste and flower trade has a huge potential and Nagaland can champion these opportunities with proper planning. The Ministry of MSME has given its due share of importance to NER to help entrepreneurs in the region and the ministry has targeted to create a venture fund of Rs 50,000 Cr to help the Entrepreneurs under MSME.
Abhinash Hembrom, AGM, SBI stated that the bank is working closely with BAN and he hopes to see visible changes through the joint effort in the next few months. Temjenyanger Jamir, DGM, NIDC informed that NIDC is working on moving from term loan facility only, to infrastructure loans as well. He encouraged entrepreneurs to explore the Special Economic Zone and look into the possibility of taking up initiatives of setting up processing units in those facilities expressed.
NeDFI represented by Jianthai Lung Kamei shared about new scheme with interest rate of 7% per annum and shared his willingness to work with BAN in identifying genuine entrepreneurs.
Tiakala Ao, GM, NABARD mentioned that Nagaland has 71% under rural area and agriculture plays a very important role. She stressed that more than 7000 co-operative societies are registered in Nagaland and most are family run with only 10-15 members as compared to co-operative societies having more than 1000 members in other states.
State Director, KVIC I Athuba Lusang highlighted on the various aspects of Khadi & Village Industries activities including that of flagship programmes like PMEGP and SFURTI.
