Morung Express news
Kohima | December 14
Nagaland is capable of becoming an IT hub, MLA and Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon stated on December 14, while highlighting the various initiatives of the State Government.
The vision of becoming an IT hub of the country and the entire Southeast Asia is not just an ambitious attempt of the State Government but because of the confidence in the people and the state, he noted, addressing the e-Naga Summit, 2022 held under the theme, "Through promotion of secured digital services and investment opportunities in the state of Nagaland” on December 14 in Kohima.
Given the achievement of the Information Technology (IT) department made so far, the State is ready to take on any initiatives, added the Advisor to IT&C, Science & Technology and NRE Nagaland.
In the IT sector, the Chief Minister's vision to attract investment has ensured that lot of events such as today are happening, where we engage not only with our citizens but with experts and companies from other part of the country, he added.
They come and collaborate with the State Government in identifying gaps, incubate ideas and devise solutions to the challenges, he added.
The Advisor further cited how the impact of the CSR Conclave in August is being fruitified in the form of e-Naga Summit.
Highlighting the achievement of the IT sector in Nagaland, Kikon said that the sector has won various accolades at the national level.
"Under the eDistrict project, we have enabled 47 eServices and all the state government department websites are hosted in the state data centre,” Kikon informed, adding that other services like the Nagaland Public Service Commission and Inner Line Permit are “made online and easier.”
In Nagaland, efficient management of salaries and government employees are also looked into, besides developing own scholarship portal which has eliminated various glitches, he said.
The setting up of Software Technology Park of India in Kohima is another achievement, he added.
These visible changes to address problems of the people and provide services through IT have enabled empowerment and decentralisation, the Advisor added.
He also expressed hope that the Summit will have tremendous exposure in participation, production and manufacturing in Nagaland in collaboration with all State Government, departments and agencies.
‘Our collaboration should benefit our citizens and create a better Nagaland for a better India,’ Kikon said, adding that the priority to use IT services is to ensure that development is for all and ensure efficient delivery of services as well as making government approachable.
On road development, the Advisor lauded the Narendra Modi-led BJP government for bringing development to Nagaland and improving connectivity in the state.
“The entire State of Nagaland has not seen a 4-lane road until today. It was only under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi…Today, the road construction that is taking place in all the districts is to ensure that we reach the capital headquarters within a span of 3-4 hours," Kikon claimed.
With connectivity improving, investment and the changes are being witnessed within a span of 5-10 years whereas the State had been neglected in the past, he added.
Meanwhile, CEO, Indo British Business Forum (IBBF), London Kavita Sharma in her address said there were investment opportunities in Nagaland but a lot is needed to done.
For instance Nagaland was free of pollution but basic infrastructure development is not available and further investment is required for road maintenance, she highlighted.
"There are other opportunities available for the young entrepreneurs, in small and medium sectors," she added.
The IBBF is a private business forum committed to bring investments in India and it is an opportunity based forum and look for opportunities to bring investments to India, the CEO informed.
"UK and Indian government is also signing an agreement worth 52 billion pounds. For the first time, UK fruits will enter India without any duty. Vice versa through bilateral trade we can bring Nagaland fruits to UK like Kiwi, pineapple and other fruits,” she added.
Sharma also noted that another sector of investment that the forum is looking at is in the power sector which includes renewable energy and third sector to consider was climate control.
Opportunity would be given to young investors to have one-on-one discussion on investment from Nagaland, she added.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, IT&C and Power, KD Vizo in his keynote address in the inaugural session noted that the objective of the IT culture was to bring transparency, accountability, and efficiency and change the mindset of the people about the work culture and society.
Other esources persons of the summit were Nitin Agarwal, Director Leverage Capital, IBBF, Neichute Doulo, CEO Entrepreneurs Association Nagaland, Arun Sharma, Senior Digital Development Specialist World Bank, Rakesh Kumar Boylla, MD KR Project & Maestro Technologies IBBF, Kishore Shah CEO for SPOCHUB and ESDS Group, Nashik Maharashtra and Kedo Nagi, Proprietor, M/s Ramietech Solutions, Nagaland.
