CM Neiphiu Rio with Deputy PM of Thailand and others during the inaugural programme of the North East India Festival in Bangkok on July 30.
Dimapur, July 30 (MExN): The North East India Festival will help in connecting the north east region of India with Thailand and give a further thrust to the Act East Policy of the Government of India and Act West Policy of Thailand and other South East Asian countries, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Saturday.
Rio, who was addressing the inaugural programme of the 2nd Edition of North East India Festival in Bangkok, said that the festival is being celebrated to mark India's 75 years of Independence and diplomatic relationship with Thailand, according to a DIPR report.
Stating that the two regions have ‘age old social and cultural relations, shared history and ethnicity,’ Rio said that educating people about the cultural heritage, can help unify and form close economic collaboration between Northeast India and Southeast Asian nations.
“I am hopeful that new vistas of opportunity in trade and tourism as well as people-to-people and cultural unification will emerge,” Rio stated.
Platform for bilateral trade
According to the Chief Minister, India is investing extensively towards building infrastructure to connect its North Eastern Region with the ASEAN countries as part of its Act East Policy.
India – Myanmar – Thailand Trilateral Highway promises to transform the region’s economic landscape through trade with the ASEAN and the development of Kaladan Multi Model Transit Transport and building of an Integrated Port and Inland Water Transport Terminal in Sittwe being undertaken in consonance with the Act East Policy of the Government of India provides further impetus to the trade and investment of the NE region with the ASEAN countries, he said.
Along these lines, Rio said that Nagaland is here to build a robust platform for bilateral trade and highlighted Nagaland’s geographical, cultural and environmental features as well as human capital, emphasising on the state’s aspirations to become a tourist hotspot.
Explaining further, Rio said that Nagaland Tourism is also venturing into a new Tourism initiative –‘Reimagine Tourism’ by promoting off road destination and taking Tourism to interiors of Nagaland on off-road 4x4 trails in the remote areas to attract those interested in adventure and rural tourism.
He said that the state hosted eight Ambassadors of the ASEAN countries during the Hornbill Festival and is looking forward to welcoming a Thailand delegation of the tourism industry this year. “My team of officials will coordinate with the Indian Embassy here so that we can host a delegation from Thailand to Nagaland at this year’s Hornbill Festival,” Rio said.
To boost trade through exports, the Chief Minister said that the State has established the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN). He also that the State aims to become a preferred investment destination for anyone planning to cater to ASEAN market, adding that large Industrial Parks with plug and play facilities for investors to explore are part of the state’s economic infrastructure strategies.
The Government of Nagaland will be very proactive to provide one-stop clearances and support for investors, he added.
In this connection, Rio also informed that in the fourth week of August, Nagaland is organising a major national level Investment Summit in partnership with the Government of India under the leadership of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. We would love to welcome entrepreneurs and representatives of business and industry to Nagaland during this summit, he said.
Nagas emerging in creative fields
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister observed that Nagaland’s biggest strength lies in the creativity of its people and said that Nagas are emerging in the creative fields in India - starting from music, fashion, hospitality, and service industry. He said that the State has a dedicated Department under the banner of Task Force for Music and Arts, (TaFMA) engaged in creating an eco-system for music and the arts.
The Chief Minister said that the Government wants to engage with Thailand on a continuous basis and that he was there with an objective to strengthen ties, build partnerships and create trust.
Accordingly, he mulled on initiating a Naga Emporium in Bangkok which will also be a facilitation centre to undertake investments in Nagaland including creation of avenues to visit Nagaland as a tourist destination.
“Thailand is an international leader in multiple sectors and we would welcome joint venture initiatives especially in the field of agro and processed foods to cater to Indian and ASEAN markets,” he added.
Rio said that the State would be happy to offer all kinds of support in promoting Thai products in Nagaland and is looking forward to welcoming Thai investments, Thai products and the people of Thailand to Nagaland. He expressed appreciation to the Indian Embassy for hosting the occasion and the efforts being put up by Festival team led by Shyamkanu Mahanta and the Chief Adviser of the Festival, Abu Metha and the whole team.
This event is bringing hope to the entire North East India and I am sure, it will open up trade and tourism in a big way, he added.
