As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday launched 52 projects that various companies in Nagaland will sponsor.

Sitharaman kicked off the project at the opening ceremony of the three-day CSR and Investment Conference, which was attended by more than 100 corporate representatives and investors.

Most programmes are related to health, education, skills and entrepreneurial development. Lamenting that Nagaland is not getting enough CSR investment, she said the northeast should be a natural choice for companies and investors.

The union minister said there is a problem with CSR expectations, so states like Nagaland have to wait for CSR to come. However, she expressed confidence that the companies participating in the conclave would be a stepping stone and more would start investing in the state.

Sitharaman said the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had announced the establishment of a training centre for Naga youth to improve their skills. She also suggested that the state government utilise NITI Aayog‘s Atal Innovation Mission project to promote science and technology education by setting up science labs in schools and innovation centres in upper grades.

The minister encouraged the state to focus on organic products. Sitharaman said Nagas should properly brand its products and asked the state government to set up a Naga Youth Task Force to brand Nagaland nationwide.

She also launched booths set up by districts, departments, civil society organisations and NGOs to attract CSR investments. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed gratitude to the Government of India for attaching great importance to the Northeast region’s development.

Nagaland has not been on the radar of companies as CSR spending has been low, he said, adding that the state has a lot of investment potential. She said the conclave would provide a platform for these companies to take advantage of the state’s various opportunities.

Organised by the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland and supported by the Union Government’s Department of Financial Services, Department of Public Enterprise and Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the theme ” Partnership for strengthening sustainable development Naturally Nagaland”.