Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio said the state government is aware of the hurdles facing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and is working to improve access to credit, bank approvals and market linkages. He made the remarks on March 10 during the concluding session of a discussion on the “critical role of MSME in improving Nagaland’s economy” at the eighth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima, outlining steps to strengthen support for entrepreneurs.
“The Department is actively coordinating with banks, District Industries Centres, and other stakeholders to address these issues and ensure timely support to entrepreneurs,” Dr Rio said, adding the government will prioritise ease of doing business, stronger financial support mechanisms, innovation and promotion of local enterprises “so that MSMEs can grow into sustainable and competitive businesses.”
As of March 9, 2026, a total of 48,655 enterprises from Nagaland are registered on the Udyam portal: 48,464 are micro enterprises (most of these are nano enterprises with turnover below Rs 25 lakh), 175 are small and 16 are medium enterprises. The figures underscore the dominance of micro-scale activity in the state’s MSME landscape.
Since its launch, the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative (CMMF) has helped create 777 MSMEs with total project investment of Rs 65.31 crore. Government subsidy of Rs 19.37 crore under the scheme has been credited with leveraging private and bank finance to produce a fiscal multiplier of roughly 3.3, and the units are estimated to generate more than 1,500 direct jobs across transport, retail, hospitality and small manufacturing.
At present, 13 MSME development projects are under implementation in Nagaland and 15 new projects have been submitted to the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, for approval. These proposals aim to upgrade industrial infrastructure, promote cluster-based development and boost productivity and competitiveness in local enterprises.
Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), the state’s target for 2025–26 is 454 projects; so far 66 projects have been sanctioned by banks and Rs 178.98 lakh of margin money has been claimed. Over the past five years, 3,715 beneficiaries have received support under PMEGP.
The state is also implementing RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) to build capacity, run registration drives and organise buyer–seller meets, and it is facilitating the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, which has received more than 25,000 artisan applications for training and financial assistance. “Steps are also being taken to promote cluster-based development and value addition in sectors such as food processing, handicrafts, handloom, and agro-based industries… We are also looking into having provisions wherein some % of procurement of goods and services from our indigenous MSME enterprises by State Government Departments and agencies,” Dr Rio said.
Rio said these measures are intended to strengthen financial inclusion, encourage youth entrepreneurship beyond government jobs, integrate first-generation entrepreneurs into the formal banking system and stimulate rural economic activity across the state.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/nagaland-govt-to-strengthen-financial-support-for-msmes
Category: Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2026-03-10 23:14:00
