Minister Nemcha inaugurates International MSME Conference
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, November 04 2022: Textiles, Commerce & Industries minister Nemcha Kipgen inaugurated an International MSME Conference in NER-2022 at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal.

The conference was organised by Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) with the support of Imphal office of MSME Development Institute, government of India and Department of Commerce & Industries, Manipur.

In her address as the chief guest, minister Nemcha Kipgen said that such a conference gives an opportunity for the state to showcase its distinct industries, and cultural heritage in the forms of handloom and textiles, handicrafts and unique food products.

The local entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to adopt the best practices from other parts of the world and adapt it for the materials and resources available here, she asserted.

Nemcha then cited an example of the state's richness in terms of bio resources, saying that there are 55 species of bamboo that grow in Manipur which can be utilized in various forms such as food, textile, composites and handicrafts.

She continued that Manipur is also rich in biodiversity, producing many aromatic and medicinal plants, all of which are organic and can serve as a new destination for pharmaceutical Industries.

Unlike many parts of the northeast, Manipur is fortunate to have a potential to be the gateway to ASEAN, and with the improvement in infrastructure will serve as an important import-export hub for the northeast region, she added.

The minister called for the need to realise that food processing, handloom & handicrafts are an industry which the state and the northeast region as a whole can heavily rely on to boost its economy.

Development of these industries will eventually create jobs and facilitate better livelihood for the people of the region, Nemcha said.

Speaking on the occasion, FINER president Bajrang Lohia pointed out that the basic objective of the conference is to provide opportunities to MSMEs in Manipur to update themselves to meet the challenges emerging from changes in technology, changes in demand, and emergence of new markets.

He said technology infusion and/or upgradation of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises are the need of the hour.

During the technical session, presentations on various topics, namely current industrial scenario of Manipur, AgriTech, MSME of NER, bamboo technology and opportunities of Bhutan with NER were delivered by NSIC manager L Ibetombi Devi, Long Term Industrial Development Go Ltd (Japan) CEO Yasuo Taniguchi, Mamta Binani & Associates (Assam) partner CS Sudha Sarma, Long Term Industrial Growth Co Ltd administration & marketing officer Marie Wakino, Taiwan Technical Textile Association (Taiwan) advisor Ru Yi Ong and Bumthang chairperson Pema Choki.

Among others, Department of Trade, Commerce & Industries additional secretary Luckyson Kashung and MFI-CL managing director Joel Haokip also attended the inaugural programme.

Comment