Kohima: Nagaland is emerging as a strong contender for South Korean investment, following a significant meeting in Kohima where the South Korean Deputy Chief of Mission, Sang Woo Lim, emphatically stated, “If I were to invest in India, Nagaland would be my top choice.” This high-level interaction, held on Wednesday, has set the stage for deeper engagement between the state and the East Asian economic powerhouse.
The Department of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland, orchestrated the crucial dialogue in Kohima, with MLA and Advisor to the department, Hekani Jakhalu, and Director P Tokugha Sema leading the state’s representation. Lim headed the delegation from the Korean Embassy in New Delhi, underscoring the importance South Korea places on fostering ties in India’s Northeast. The discussions honed in on crucial sectors such as trade, technology exchange, investment, and capacity building, all vital for Nagaland’s developmental trajectory.
Key areas where Nagaland possesses inherent strengths, including agro-processing, handicrafts, handloom, organic farming, and tourism, were at the forefront of the talks. South Korea, renowned globally for its prowess in innovation, SME development, and human resource training, sees a clear synergy with Nagaland’s aspirations for growth. Advisor Jakhalu highlighted this alignment, remarking, “Nagaland has vast untapped potential in areas such as agro-processing, handloom and handicrafts, organic farming, health, and tourism. Collaborations like these can open new doors for economic growth and youth empowerment.”
Beyond economic cooperation, the meeting also explored avenues for cultural and educational exchanges, including the promotion of Korean language learning within Nagaland. Director Sema reiterated the department’s steadfast commitment to forging partnerships that translate into tangible outcomes in terms of employment generation and entrepreneurial opportunities for the state’s youth.
Lim lauded the warm hospitality extended by the Nagaland officials and reaffirmed Korea’s burgeoning interest in strengthening its presence across northeastern India. He expressed Korea’s readiness to collaborate on joint projects that champion sustainable industry development, skill enhancement, and mutual prosperity for both regions. The deliberations concluded on an optimistic note, with both sides agreeing to maintain ongoing dialogue to pinpoint specific areas for cooperation and to implement joint initiatives, all aimed at fostering robust institutional and people-to-people connections between Nagaland and South Korea.
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