Dimapur (Nagaland), February 18 Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated a women-centric business process outsourcing (BPO) center in Dimapur on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards women-focused employment generation.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and the JSW Foundation.
Described as the first-of-its-kind women-centric BPO facility in the Northeast, the center will initially employ 125 people, with plans for future expansion. It is expected to provide IT-enabled employment opportunities for women aged 18 years and above.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Rio called the launch "a new chapter in Nagaland's journey towards inclusive and technology-driven growth".
He said the partnership reflects a shared vision of empowering women, strengthening skills, and creating meaningful employment opportunities within the state.
The CM said that Nagaland's youth are its greatest strength, and they are educated, adaptable, English-proficient, and capable of competing in the global service economy.
He reiterated that the state government has prioritized skill development, entrepreneurship, and private investment as key drivers of sustainable development.
Emphasizing the role of women in Naga society, Rio described them as active contributors to economic life and strong pillars of families and communities.
He said that structured employment opportunities such as BPOs would enhance financial independence and professional growth for women.
He noted that the collaboration between IDAN and the JSW Foundation, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, focuses on skills, technology, and employment, aimed at building a resilient and future-ready workforce.
Stating that the establishment of a women-centric BPO in Dimapur signals Nagaland's readiness to host modern service-sector enterprises, Rio expressed confidence that the center's success would attract further investments in IT-enabled services and knowledge-based industries.
IDAN chairman and advisor to the chief minister, Abu Metha, said that JSW Foundation and JSW Shakti have invested nearly Rs 6 crore in the first phase.
Metha said that the BPO will initially employ around 125 people, with plans to expand to 500 employees in the future.
He said that the project, which was conceptualized and completed within six months, reflects strong collaboration between the Nagaland government and JSW.