The Nagaland Governor – Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, instructed the state government to shut down all illegal check gates and collection centres operated by unscrupulous elements, putting an extra burden on the business community.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of National Integrate Innovate Expand (NIIE) Trade Fair under the theme “Innovate, Integrate, Expand”, the Governor noted that the trade fair will focus on employment generation, Agri tourism, logistics, business financing and Women entrepreneurship.

“The economic reforms and policies aims to eliminate poverty and enhance the prosperity of ordinary families, where trade must help common people, as they are the ultimate stakeholders. The Government of India’s key initiatives – such as Make in India, Digital India, Start-up India, Stand-up India, Skill India, Smart Cities, and the resolve to increase farmers’ incomes – are all an attempt to make economic reforms more meaningful to those at the grassroots,” he said.

He also informed that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has emerged as an important and dynamic sector of the Indian economy.

“MSMEs not only play crucial role in providing large employment opportunities but also help in industrialization of rural & backward areas, thereby, reducing regional imbalances, assuring more equitable distribution of national income and wealth. Nagaland has a young population and henceforth, Naga youth today should take up entrepreneurship and create jobs, as self-employment and giving employment to others is the way of development,” he said.

Besides, the Joint Director of MSME-DFO Dimapur informed that marketing, a strategic tool for business development is critical for the growth and survival of MSMEs.

“Due to the lack of information, scarcity of resources and un-organized way of selling/marketing, MSME sector often faces problems in exploring new markets and retaining the existing ones. Keeping in view of these facts, the procurement and marketing support scheme has been introduced by Ministry of MSME to enhance the marketability of products & services in the MSME sector,” – he informed.