New Delhi(India), 17 January: Underlining the importance of the Northeastern India, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) announced a series of “B20” programmes in four northeastern states in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs and Northeastern state governments. 
To explore partnership among business communities from G20 member countries towards developing a common agenda for development of critical sectors of the economy as a growth driver, CII will organise B20 Programmes in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs and North Eastern State Governments.
The Business 20 or B20 is a group that represents the private sector within the Group of 20 (G20) Forum. This organization 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.
To further explore this partnership, the CII, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Northeastern state governments, will organize B20 programmes in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim.
These B20 programmes will showcase the potential that the Northeast region offers for global and local investors, as well as highlight opportunities for multilateral business partnerships in industry sectors where the Northeastern states have core strengths. The B20 programme in Imphal, scheduled from February 17-19, will focus on ICT, medical tourism, healthcare, and handloom. The B20 programme in Aizawl, scheduled from March 1-3, will focus on urban planning, infrastructure, and skill development.
Gangtok will host a B20 programme focusing on tourism, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and organic farming from March 16-19. Finally, the B20 programme in Kohima, scheduled for April 4-6, will focus on agriculture and food processing.
In addition to the Business 20 meetings, each state will organize an excursion to tourist sights, a cultural program, and a gala dinner for participants to acquaint them with Northeast India.
At the precursor program of B20 India Initiatives for Northeast states, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of State of External Affairs, released the B20 Delegate Manual on B20India in NorthEast. The handbook provides an insight to the events in the North East.
MoS Ministry of External Affairs,
Dr @RanjanRajkuma11 released the B20 Delegate Manual today at the Precursor Meeting on #B20India in #NorthEast. The handbook provides an insight to the events in the North East. #CIINorthEast @g20org @b20 pic.twitter.com/KL9vX25Lu9— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) January 17, 2023
After the B20 manual release, MoS Dr Rajkumar emphasized the unique strengths of the Northeast region and its business potential. He invited representatives of diplomatic missions, and bilateral and multilateral agencies to take part in the B20 programs scheduled in the Northeast.
Sharing the growth statistics, Dr Singh highlighted that the number of airports in the region increased from nine to sixteen over the last eight years. The number of flights connecting the region also increased by over 100%, going from approximately 900 flights before 2014 to about 1,900 flights today. Additionally, many Northeastern states have been added to the Indian Railways map for the first time, while the length of national highways increased by 50% since 2014. Efforts are also being made to expand the waterways, Dr Singh said.
Muktesh K Pardeshi, OSD of G20 Operations, mentioned that in addition to the B20 events being organized in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim, other events such as Youth 20, Science 20, and Space 20 are being organized in the remaining states of the Northeast.
“The North East programmes of G20 and B20 are inspired by Govt’s vision of People’s Movement – “Jan Bhagidhari”. G20 would cover programmes in all the NE States”, Muktesh K Pardeshi said at Precursor Meeting on B20India in NorthEast.
“#G20 secretariat is ready to welcome all delegates in #northeast for the upcoming #G20 events”, @harshvshringla said during the #B20 precursor meeting today in #delhi . @FollowCII @MukteshPardeshi @MEAIndia https://t.co/iXXkbbFy0O pic.twitter.com/krDAIM6e0g
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) January 17, 2023
However, Harsh Vardhan Singla, the Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency, announced that the B20 events in the Northeast will provide a platform for one-on-one interaction with state ministers as well as some union ministers.
“The B20 events in the North East would be a uniquely impeccable experience and would provide the flavours of North East in projecting its cuisine, culture & heritage. G20 Secretariat is making adequate arrangements in seamless movements across States for attending the B20 programmes. Govt views NE to be the launching pad for reaching out to the SE Asian countries. Through B20, Business is going to the North East”, Harsh Vardhan Singla further added.
The residence commissioners of Manipur, Mizoram, and Sikkim in Delhi and the home commissioner of Nagaland highlighted the business opportunities in their respective states.
“Sikkim is one of the most favoured destinations in the country. B20 event on 2 March at Gangtok would showcase State’s strength in the sectors of tourism, pharma & education,” Ashwani Kumar Chand, Resident Commissioner, Sikkim said at Precursor Meeting on B20in NorthEast.
While addressing the gathering, Amjad Tak- Resident Commissioner of Mizoram said, “Mizoram – an evolving State in the NorthEast and also most peaceful. Mizoram offers opportunity in infrastructure and urban planning – the sectors to be projected during B20 meeting at Aizawl planned on 16 March.”
In the concluding remark, Pradeep Bagla, Co-chairman of the CII North-East Council, extended an invitation to diplomatic missions from G20 countries to facilitate trade and business delegations to participate in the B20 initiatives in the northeastern states.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
