Imphal event of B20 conference concludes
Source: Chronicle News Service / PIB

Imphal, February 19 2023: The first of the four B20 conferences of the G20 dialogue forum for the global business community in the North East region concluded on Sunday.

Over 100 delegates from 23 countries participated in the three-day Imphal event which had discussion on op portunities for multilateral business partnership in information and communications technology (ICT), tourism, healthcare and handlooms.

Representatives of G20 and other countries also addressed the plenary session on the first day of the conference.

Delegates from Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Chad, Canada, China, France, Greece, Ghana, Iceland, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, Togo, Uganda and United States participated in the event.

Delegates from Overseas Trade Delegation - Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Asia Supporting Organisation, APO, Japan; India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bilateral Organisation Indian Association of Japan, Indo Icelandic Business Association were among the participants.

Besides, diplomats and ambassadors from the embassy of The Republic of Tunisia, Bangladesh High Commission's high commissioner, high commissioner of the Republic of Seychelles High Commission, Embassy of Iceland deputy head of mission, High Commission of Togo Charge d'Affaires/Head of Mission in India were part of the B20 event.

On the second day, the delegates were taken on an excursion to some historically significant and popular tourist spots of the state including the INA Memorial complex and Loktak Lake, one of the largest fresh water lakes in South Asia.

On Sunday, the delegates visited Khwairamband Ima Keithel, the iconic all-wom-en-run market located in the heart of the capital city of the state and the historic Kangla Fort as well as Govindaji Temple.

During their visit to Ima Keithel, the delegates were warmly welcomed by Imphal West deputy commissioner Th Kirankumar and the women vendors.

The foreign delegates felt amazed to see the all women market.

They visited the three Keithel to check the state's products including handloom and handicrafts items being sold by the women vendors.

The vendors also presented their wares as gifts to the delegates.

Later, the G20 delegates toured Kangla and praised the state's more than 2000 years old history as well as the effort to preserve the historical and religious monuments.

They also visited Govindaji Temple and basked in its spirituality.

Speaking to media per sons on the sidelines of the tour, the foreign delegates informed that they were touched by the warm hospitality and kindness of the people as well as by the natural beauty of the state.

Though the state is a part of India, its traditions, culture and hospitality are very different from other states of the country.

It was a very new experience for them to see the all women run market and to know that it is the only such market in the world.

The Ima Keithel is a great example of women empowerment, they observed.

The delegates also expressed that they will never forget the natural beauty of the state and its unique cuisine and it will surely compel them to visit the state again: They further assured that they will have detailed deliberation on the potential of the state and consider investments after reviewing the economic policy and law & order conditions.

It can be mentioned that the Business 20 or B20 is a group that represents the private sector within the Group of 20 (G20) Forum.

This organisation was created to provide a platform for the business community to engage with the G20 and to offer recommendations on policies that can support global economic growth and development.

The Imphal event was the first B-20 conference of India s G20 presidency and the second one will be held in Aizawl in Mizoram from March 1 to 3, the next one will be in Sikkim's capital Gangtok from March 15 to 17, while the fourth conference will be in Kohima in Nagaland from April 4 to 6.The events aim to showcase the potential that the NE region can offer to global and local investors, as well as highlight opportunities for multilateral business partnerships in industry sectors where the NE states have core strengths.

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