Imphal, March 06 2009: Highlighting the importance of entrepre-neurship, self employment and creating job opportunities and with a view to join global competition in development, a national seminar on "Entrepreneurship in the era of WTO" was held on Friday at the Manipur Institute of Management Studies (MIMS), Manipur University (MU), Canchipur in Imphal West.

The two-day seminar was inaugurated by the Governor of Manipur, Gurbachan Jagat who was the chief guest.

Addressing the seminar, Governor Gurbachan Jagat highlighted the role and significances of the entrepreneurs and asserted that they not only provide self employment but also provide job opportunities for others.

The Governor asserted that "unemployment among the youth and the resulting sense of frustration is a central problem in the country especially in the North East where the opportunities are limited".

"Serious efforts have been made to mitigate the unemployment problems in this region but the initiatives will take time to show any tangible results on the ground.

There is a need for innovative and participatory approach to attract the best brains," the Governor said.

He said, "With the new world order coming into being and with a global economy, the approach needs to be adapted to suit the present need".

He further observed that in order to compete in the international market, the entrepreneurs must be highly skilful and that upgradation of the skills would be of utmost importance.

Highlighting the abun-dant raw materials of the North East, Governor Gurbachan Jagat affirmed that the products, such as bamboo products, aromatic and medicinal plants, flowers, horticulture products had core competence.

He also called upon the people of the region to be equipped to take advantage of the 'Look East Policy' adding that the policy will no doubt open up more avenues.

"Otherwise, the region will only act as a condit, without benefitting the people of the region," he observed.

Vice Chancellor of MU, Prof C Amuba opined that promoting small and rural industries would increase the employment opportu-nities in the backward areas.

Based on the development of rural industrialisation, the utili-zation of local resources and raw materials including the manpower and skills would be translated into action.

This would help in reducing unemployment, he observed.

Many scholars and experts also attended the inaugural function of the national seminar.

They spoke on various topics relating to entrepreneurship.

While Prof Siva Sambha Rao of Andhra University, Vizak addressed the seminar as chairperson on "Entrepreneurship and Globalisation Issue", Prof Anil Gupta of IIM, Ahmedabad enlightened the gathering on "Micro Finance and Women Entrepreneurship".

It may be mentioned here that MIMS, MU is one of the few institutes in the country established through the funding of University Grants Commission (UGC) and recognised by AITEC.

Since its inception in 1995, MIMS, forearmed with its strategic intent "Growth with Quality" has been gaining the competitive advantage.

Besides these, the institute also has a 24-hour internet connection through V-Sat and WiFi prowess, SPSS, and over 4,500 title collections in the library with the MU having over 200,000 titles on management and its allied disciplines.

Talking to media persons, MIMS Director Dr WC Singh asserted that entrepreneurship was lacking in the state due to various disturbances such as lack of electric power, railway line, insecure means of transportation, especially the law and order of the state.

He, nevertheless, opined that one should learn all the knowledge possible for competition with other developed places.

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