354/2022-2023
Aizawl, the 2nd March 2023: Mizoram hosted B20 Conference - India Initiatives in the North East - Conference on opportunities for multilateral business partnerships in Urban Planning, Infrastructure, Bamboo, Startups, Skill Development, Nursing and Paramedics at Mizoram University Auditorium, Aizawl today. Pu Zoramthanga, Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Som Parkash, Minister of State for Commerce & Industries, Government of India, and Dr R K Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, External Affairs, Government of India graced the B20 Conference. Senior Government Officials from the State and Centre were present as well.
There will be two sessions – An inaugural session from 11:30 to 12:45 hours and a plenary session from 14:25 to 18:15 hours. Between the sessions, the delegates would be visiting the Exhibition organized in the same premise.
In this B20 Summit, Aizawl city witnessed the convergence of a host of overseas delegates from 17 nations representing Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), China, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, United States and Zimbabwe in addition to the Indian and local business participants. The visiting dignitaries include 48 overseas business delegates and 17 diplomats. Trade and business delegations and representatives from Bhutan, Bangladesh and Japan also participated in the event.
India took over the G20 Presidency on 1st December 2022. The key theme of the G20 presidency under India is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which also signifies ‘World as One Family'. The G20 presidency for India is an opportunity to influence the new global economic agenda and we must work to bridge this divide with inclusive, fair, and sustainable models.
The inaugural session commenced with welcome remarks from Shri Pradeep Bagla, Co-Chairman, CII North East Council. Subsequently, there were addresses by Smt Rupa Dutta, Principal Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India and Dr Renu Sharma, Chief Secretary, Government of Mizoram.
After this, the three primary speakers of the conference addressed the delegates. The first keynote address was delivered by Dr RK Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The second speaker was Shri Som Parkash, Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Pu Zoramthanga, Chief Minister of the host state was the last to deliver the keynote address. He also addressed Press Conference later on after the inaugural session. Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga, through his address and Press Conference, expressed how it is indeed such a matter of great pride and privilege for Mizoram to have the opportunity to host the B20 Initiative - the official G20 dialogue forum for the global business community from 1stto 3rd March 2023. He highly expected that this B20 summit would open the eyes of potential investors to spot plenty of opportunities not only in the focus sectors at the summit but also in other areas. He expected the B20 meeting in Mizoram would identify priorities and would result in formulating policy recommendations. He also hoped that this would help the State to project itself as an essential investment destination by showcasing its strength besides offering the delegates a glimpse into our culture, heritage, festivals and tourism potential.
Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga also extended his invitation to the entire delegate to participate in Chapchar Kut, the state’s most important festival, to be held at the Assam Rifles Ground on the 3rd of March 2023. He suggested this festival is an excellent opportunity to have a unique North East India experience and also an exposure to the State’s culture, cuisine, art, festivities, and scenic beauty.
He thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for exploring the opportunity presented by India’s G20 Presidency in allowing the State of Mizoram to host this auspicious and monumental B-20 Start-Up meeting which is a landmark in the history of the State. He thanked Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and the External Affairs Minister Shri Subrahmanyam Jaishankar for their support and guidance. He thanked Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Kishan G Reddy, DoNER Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Minister of Road, Transport & Highways for their assistances for hosting the event as requested by the Government of Mizoram.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Pu H.Lalengmawia, Commissioner & Secretary, Home Department, Government of Mizoram.
The plenary session will focus on Opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Urban planning, Infrastructure, Bamboo, Startups, Skill Development, Handloom & Handicraft, Nursing and Paramedics. In this session, the CII facilitated Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) meetings. Visiting Overseas Business Delegates would get the opportunity to interact with the local industry during the B2B and with the Government in the B2G session for potential investment, collaboration and tie-ups. Over 100 B2B and B2G requests have been generated including requests for interaction with Government Departments viz-a-viz Health, Urban Development, Commerce and Industries, Tourism, Sports and Labour Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
The session commences with opening remarks by Shri Gopi Krishna More, Member, CII, North East Council. During the first hour of the plenary session, there will be three presentations and two video clips of highlights from the host state. Pu Lalmalsawma Pachuau, Secretary, Department of Planning & Programme Implementation Government of Mizoram and Pu Rinzual, MD, MIZOFED & Expert Member, Mizoram Startup Mission Society will jointly give a presentation with a supporting video on Support Ecosystem for doing Business in the state. Prof Laldinliana, Department of Commerce, Mizoram University will give a presentation on Prospects in the Core Sector - Bamboo, Nursing & Paramedics, Handloom & Handicraft, Start-ups and Skill Development. The Horticulture Department, Government of Mizoram will showcase Video on Bamboo potential in Mizoram. Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Mizoram will highlight a Video on the Achievements of Mizoram in Sports.
During the second hour of the plenary session, various successful Industry Leaders would be invited to share their experiences pertaining to the prospects in the core sector. Bamboo, Food Processing, Handloom, Nursing and Paramedics, Skill Development, Start-Ups and Urban Planning and Infrastructures were the chosen subjects. Pu Laldinliana Chhangte, CEO, King Industries on Bamboo, Mr Anil Mutha, Chairman, Mutha Industries Private Limited on Bamboo, Pu Francis Lalmalsawma Sailo, Consultant, Hnahlan Grape Farming & Processing Co-op Society on food processing, Pi K Lalmuanpuii, Proprietor, Lenbuang Handloom & Handicrafts on Handloom, Dr Debashish Chowdhury, Director Professor & Head of Neurology, G B Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research on Nursing and Paramedics, Mr Lairenjam Niranjan Singh, Director & CEO, JCRE Skill Solutions on Skill Development, Mr Rohit Kumar, Founder & CEO Zedsoftpoint on start-ups and Ms Marion Velut, Counsellor for Environment Sustainable Cities & Mobilities, Regional Economic Department for India & South Asia on Urban Planning and Infrastructures are expected to share their experiences.
After presentations and sharing of experiences on the core sectors, the representatives of the G20 countries would be invited for remarks. This will be followed by interaction. The session would conclude with remarks by Pi Esther Lal Ruatkimi, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industries, Government of Mizoram.
