Nagaland moving towards an investor-friendly environment

Guwahati: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio wooed the private sector by saying the state is prioritizing the development of a welcoming and investor-friendly environment.

Rio informed the gathering yesterday at the First Nagaland CSR & Investment Conclave 2022 that the State is working on introducing a modern land law that would allow for easier availability of land through leasing for identified sectors in Dimapur, Kohima, and other identified districts.

Alemtemshi Jamir, CEO of IDAN, informed the gathering that the Union Finance Minister will be visiting the State in the last week of August, during which the Conclave's programmes will be held.

The Chief Minister stated on the occasion that India is the first country in the world to make Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandatory. The policy allows businesses to invest their profits in development activities, which is a win-win situation for everyone because it allows corporations to participate in the development of the country while also providing an opportunity to expand their markets, and it supplements the government's development efforts through private enterprise and innovation.

Rio bemoaned the fact that Nagaland has been unable to attract companies to take on projects as part of their CSR obligations in Nagaland. He added that, of the estimated 1.25 lakh crore spent by companies as part of their mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) over the last seven years, Nagaland received only 0.006 percent.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that businesses would be able to integrate local businesses into national supply chains. He stated that CSR combined with private investments would supplement government spending and maximise the impact of interventions in critical development sectors.

The Chief Minister hoped that businesses, with their resources and expertise, could assist the state in designing, developing, and delivering innovative solutions using cutting-edge technology. He claimed that Nagaland has a talented and naturally innovative workforce.

Rio stated that some CSR projects in the areas of health and education are already being implemented in some Nagaland districts, and he hoped that such successful local interventions could be replicated on a larger scale across the entire State.

The Chief Minister stated that the State Government has already prepared a shelf of some of the project proposals for the State. He urged the company and other corporate entity representatives to review the draught shelf of projects that may be aligned with their CSR priorities, hoping for tangible CSR commitments. He also stated that investors should not be concerned about law and order.

Rio informed about the Union Finance Minister's support and guidance, as well as the officials of the Ministries and departments she oversees. He went on to say that it encouraged the State Government to broaden the scope of the original conclave and allowed for interaction.

During the event, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also unveiled the Nagaland Single Window System, the Hospital Information System, the Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS), and the Equipment Maintenance and Management System (EMMS), and the CSR project tracking and management system. He also distributed the first installment of NECTAR Performance Incentive Grants to 738 government schools.

While delivering the keynote address, Alemtemshi Jamir, CEO of IDAN, thanked the CEOs, investors, and other participants for attending despite the programme being postponed. He stated that the Conclave is being held to encourage the private sector by paving the way for them to invest in the development of the state. Jamir also stated that the State has been facing a financial crunch for State development due to a lack of resources and the private sector's non-participation.

In his address, Chief Secretary J. Alam made a special reference to the State's Business, Economy, and Social Environment, mentioning the existence of strong community spirit in Naga society, citing communitization of government institutions, grassroots planning, and community participation in governance as examples.

He stated that agriculture and services continue to be the most important sectors of the state's economy, with 70 percent of the state's population employed in agriculture due to the high fertility of the soil and, in part, due to fewer opportunities in other sectors other than the services sector. He also discussed the scope and prospects of agricultural and horticultural products in the state, as well as the opportunities for investors to invest in this sector. He emphasized some of the areas in which investors from outside the state could invest in the state by collaborating with the state government.