The second Business 20 (B20) Conference of North East India was held today at the Auditorium of Mizoram University,Aizawl. Chief Minister of Mizoram Shri Zoramthanga , Shri Som Parkash, Minister of State, Commerce & Industries, Government of India, Dr R K Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, External Affairs, Government of India and Chief Secretary Dr. Renu Sharma  Government of Mizoram  was in the inaugural session. The conference was organized by B20 India Secretariat and Confederation of Indian Industries in association with Government of Mizoram.

The Chief Minister Shri Zoramthanga in his keynote address highlighted the organic and superior  quality of agricultural and horticulture products of  Mizoram . He explained about the strategic location of Mizoram, the availability of land resources, conducive climate for setting up industries to tap these agriculture resources. He further draw the attention to the bamboo sector potential of the state.He said that the huge potential hasn’t been tapped yet and invited investment in sector which remained to be done on mass scale. He also elaborated on the potential of bamboo on environmental benefits. He added that there is huge investment potential for processing industries based on these agro-forest based products. Development in airways and railways as well as waterways will be a huge factor for increased potential for trade.

Shri Som Parkash, Minister of State, Commerce & Industries, Government of India in his key note address spoke on startups emerging as key drivers of economic growth. He said that here are more than 92,000 recognized startups in the country today including more than 1000 startups from North Eastern States. He further said that India is the world’s second largest cultivator of bamboo, with 136 species spread over 13.96 million hectares. He addedthat Mizoram has abundant natural Bamboo resources with around 57% of the geographical area of Mizoram under Bamboo cover.He urged investors to explore this field.

Dr R K Ranjan Singh, Minister of State External Affairs addressing the gathering said that to facilitate development opportunities, the Government of India under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  has accelerated and initiated major reform process over the last 8 years. He further said that Mizoram over the years created a very respectable education eco-system for itself, resulting in high literacy rates and skilled work force, creating a brand value for themselves, in the hospitality, care-giving, health care and retail sectors which need to be tapped. He drew the attention of international partnerships designed to fully leverage the expertise of Mizo youth in these sectors, that will make these sectors cost competitive and efficient.

A press conference was held after the inaugural session where Chief Minister of Mizoram Shri Zoramthanga , Shri Som Parkash, Minister of State, Commerce & Industries, Government of India, Dr R K Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, External Affairs, Government of India and Chief Secretary Dr. Renu Sharma  Government of Mizoram took part and interacted with the media and explained how this conference is going to benefit the state as well as the whole of North eastern states.

During the plenary session Mr Lalmalsawma Pachuau, Secretary Dept of Planning & Program Govt of Mizoram & Mr Rinzuala MD MIZOFED spoke on the support ecosystem for doing business. Prof Laldiliana Varte  Department of Commerce Mizoram University delivered on Prospects in the Core Sector: Bamboo, Nursing & Paramedics, Handloom & Handicraft, Start-ups and Skill Development .Entrepreneurs gave presentation on skill development and Artificial intelligence among other topics.

The conference was attended by 38 delegates from 17 foreign countries and 124 Indian delegates. Delegates from USA, China, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Argentina, South Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Cote D'Ivoire, Costa Rica participated at the mega event.

An exhibition of about 15 stalls of handloom and handicraft products was open for the delegates to showcase the huge potential of Mizoram in these field.

    On the concluding day of the B20 meet delegates will witness Chapchar Kut festival, one of the biggest festivals of Mizoram tomorrow for showcasing its cultural heritage of Mizoram.

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PM/WU/RM