‘Naga youths have to take up entrepreneurship to find gainful employment and livelihood’

Advisor Imnatiba addressing the inaugural of the three-day state level exhibition and entrepreneurship conclave held at Hotel Saramati on February 6. (Morung Photo by Soreishim Mahong) 
 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 6

A three-day state level exhibition and entrepreneurship conclave on the theme ‘Encouraging entrepreneurship emergence’ commenced here at Hotel Saramati premise with Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Imnatiba, as special guest in the opening ceremony, Thursday afternoon.

The exhibition-cum-conclave under National Scheduled Caste-Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) is jointly organized by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Limited (NIDC) and Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Nagaland.

The advisor in his address said entrepreneurship is a new concept for the Nagas and that trade and commerce did not run in the veins of the Naga people. Imnatiba however said with employment in the government sector reaching saturation point, the educated youths of the state have to take up entrepreneurship to find gainful employment and livelihood.

He stressed on the need to spread massive awareness on the various schemes under MSME, especially National SC-ST Hub (NSSH), so that aspiring entrepreneurs can acquire requisite skills and subsidies to set up the enterprises.

Admitting that successive governments in the state had failed to provide infrastructures and suitable eco-systems for growth of entrepreneurship, the present government is trying its best to promote entrepreneurship. He also expressed optimism that with expectations of an early solution to the Naga political issue, the state would march ahead.

Imtatiba further conveyed gratitude to the MSME for approving three proposals of the State government. On the occasion, the advisor also handed over of MSME sanction letters to beneficiaries.

Director, MSME, Government of India, Mercy Epao, in her keynote address said MSME sector has emerged as a big and vibrant sector contributing 29% of the country’s GDP and 49% of the total export of India. The MSME director said in the context of the North East Region, especially Nagaland, MSME is the right sector since large industries are not viable in the region due to topography and eco-systems.

Mercy said the main objective of the National SC-ST Hub schemes, is to make SC and ST entrepreneurs competitive and give them opportunities to take part in mainstream economy.

Chairperson, governing council of YouthNet, Hekani Jakhalu, presented ‘An overview of entrepreneurship in Nagaland’ and Alem Longkumer, proprietor of ‘Country Craft’, narrated ‘An entrepreneur’s journey.’

Earlier, principal secretary, Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland, Lithrongla G Chishi, delivered the welcome address and director, Industries & Commerce, K Hokishe Assumi, proposed vote of thanks.