Imphal: The first of the four B20 (Business 20) sessions, the official G20 discussion forum for the world's business sector, is slated to take place in Manipur on Friday.

The CII is hosting B20 programmes in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim in collaboration with the Union External Affairs Ministry and Northeastern state governments to explore collaborations between business communities from G20 member countries towards developing a common agenda for the development of critical sectors of the economy as a growth driver.

A group inside the Group of 20 (G20) Forum called the Business 20 (B20) represents the corporate sector. The B20 was created to give the business community a forum to interact with the G20 and make suggestions for laws that might assist the expansion and development of the world economy.

A press conference was held on Thursday at the Old Secretariat in connection with the B20 session. Th Basanta Kumar, the minister responsible for education, stated that the event will bring together a large number of foreign delegates from 23 countries, including those from Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Chad, Canada, China, France, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, United States, and the United Kingdom.

He added that there are 24 diplomats, including ambassadors from these nations and India, and 26 foreign business delegations. The event will also include participation from incoming trade and business delegations including representatives from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Japan, and Australia.

According to Basanta Kumar, the state government has made elaborate preparations for the three-day event to show off to the delegates the potential the state has to offer in the areas of taxation, tourism, industries and commerce, IT, agriculture, and fisheries as well as health and family welfare, skill development, sports, urban development, textiles, and finance.

According to Basanta Kumar, "visiting international business delegates will have the chance to meet with the local industry during the B2B session and with the government during the B2G session for prospective investment, collaboration, and tie-ups."

Pradeep Kumar Jha, the commissioner of tourism, bemoaned that the government of Manipur is making elaborate arrangements in order to showcase investment and partnership opportunities in the state as well as give visiting delegates a special experience by exposing them to Manipur's culture, cuisine, art, festivities, and scenic beauty.

The commissioner stated that all female police officers will be part of the security detail for the delegates in order to highlight women's empowerment. Also, he stated that all delegates will go to the famed Ima Market while in town.

It should be noted that Imphal will host dignitaries from India and other nations on February 17 and 18, 2023. The event will include participation from incoming trade and business delegations including representatives from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Japan, and Australia.

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