Nagaland, a vibrant state in Northeast India, made a significant stride onto the global stage with its inaugural participation at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. This landmark event saw Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio lead the charge, delivering a compelling keynote address that showcased Nagaland’s unique strengths and immense potential to an international audience. The state’s presence at this prestigious exhibition marks a pivotal moment in its journey towards economic growth and global recognition.
Dr. Rio’s address, themed “Investment, Tourism and Human Resource Opportunities in Nagaland,” painted a vivid picture of the state as an emerging hub for sustainable investment and global tourism. He meticulously highlighted Nagaland’s strategic geographical location, positioning it as a crucial gateway to the ASEAN region. Crucially, the Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to fostering a secure, transparent, and investor-friendly environment, a key assurance for potential global partners.
He emphasized the “first-mover advantage” that Nagaland offers across a diverse range of sectors, including agribusiness, eco-tourism, artisanal crafts, technology, and creative industries. To further bolster investor confidence, Dr. Rio underscored the robust support systems in place, featuring streamlined single-window clearances, adherence to best practices, and high implementation standards. Beyond economic incentives, he also spotlighted Nagaland’s impressive human capital, citing its high literacy rate, youthful demographic, and rich cultural tapestry as powerful enablers of growth. To address any potential concerns, he confidently assured attendees of the state’s commendable record of safety, particularly for women, and its inherently peaceful social fabric.
Following the Chief Minister’s address, Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), delivered a captivating presentation titled “Nagaland – The Land of Festivals: Celebrating Culture, Creating Futures.” This presentation delved deeper into Nagaland’s vibrant cultural ecosystem, the dynamism of its youth, and the strategic policies designed to attract investment and foster innovation. Metha eloquently showcased the richness of Nagaland’s “ethnic mosaic” and the state’s growing prominence in the global creative economy, encompassing music, arts, sports, gaming start-ups, and film production. He also shed light on the state’s burgeoning tertiary sector, abundant natural resources, and a thriving start-up ecosystem, meticulously nurtured by progressive state policies such as the Nagaland Start-Up Policy, Tourism Policy 2024, and the UNNATI Scheme 2024. Furthermore, he highlighted the significant opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors, emphasizing the scope for collaboration, technology transfer, and the availability of skilled and talented human resources.
Adding to the state’s strong representation, Hekani Jakhalu, Advisor for Industries and Commerce, played a pivotal role in coordinating engagements with international stakeholders. During various business-to-business (B2B) meetings and industry deliberations, she effectively underscored Nagaland’s substantial potential in industrial development, with a particular focus on food processing, agricultural technologies, and start-ups. Jakhalu reiterated the investor-friendly policies implemented by the state government, emphasizing the conducive business environment and the high skill level of the Naga youth. She expressed strong confidence in the ability of Nagaland’s vibrant and innovative youth to be key contributors to bilateral collaborations.
CM Rio showcases Nagaland’s investment potential at world Expo 2025,This session witnessed the attendance of key officials from the Government of Japan, Osaka Prefecture, various country pavilions, and prominent corporate leaders, signifying the global interest garnered by Nagaland’s debut. Nagaland’s maiden participation at the World Expo 2025 is more than just an event; it represents a confident and strategic step into the realm of global economic and cultural diplomacy. It effectively projects a forward-looking, investment-ready state that is deeply rooted in its rich heritage while simultaneously being driven by innovation. This exposure at a globally recognized platform is anticipated to open new avenues for investment, tourism, and human resource development, firmly placing Nagaland on the international map.