‘Vocal for local’ underlined during exporters’ conclave

ZIRO, 13 Aug: Lower Subansiri DC Bamin Nime reiterated the concept of ‘vocal for local’ and urged the entrepreneurs of the district to produce locally grown products and promote them to enhance their economic livelihood and generate employment for others.

Addressing a gathering of entrepreneurs, members of SHGs, cooperative societies and the Kiwi Growers Association during an ‘exporters’ conclave’ organised here on Friday, the DC said that “Ziro has come under the global radar of entrepreneurs for the famed Naara Aba wine, which is India’s only organic wine,” and added that Ziro “has a huge potential to export kiwi fruits to the rest of the world.”

For this purpose, he emphasised on “cooperation and coordination among the kiwi growers, as volume, branding, pricing and marketing strategies are the keys to compete in the international markets.”

Textiles & handicrafts entrepreneur and ZPM Nani Jailyang, Kiwi Bottling Plant owner Nada Laji, and Lower Subansiri Kiwi Grower’s Association general secretary Mihin Tayu highlighted the bottlenecks faced by them in exporting their products.

They cited lack of marketing facility, cold chain and storage facility, slow and tedious process of disbursement of government loans and subsidies by various private sector banks, and lack of exposure training for the entrepreneurs as hindrances to their local products reaching the international markets.

District Lead Bank Manager AK Choudhury explained the details of availing bank loans to start business ventures, while Assistant Director Mudang Tago and Trade & Commerce Superintendent Sorang Yapa presented briefs on “the government’s policies and avenues to start business ventures.”

The event was organised by the trade & commerce department, in collaboration with the District Industry Centre. (DIPRO)