Odisha Governor S C Jamir said, at least 25 per cent of the total procurement of any government department of PSU should be made from MSMEs.

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise is the best vehicle for inclusive growth as it creates local demand and consumption, he said.

Addressing the valedictory of the week long Odisha MSME Trade Fair 2016, the Governor said, “To ensure competitiveness of the MSMEs, it is essential that the availability of infrastructure, technology and skilled manpower are in tune with the global trends”.

Emphasis should be made on promoting the MSME products online. MSMEs play a major role in broad basing the industrial growth and augmenting employment opportunities, revenue exports and economic growth, he said.

“Odisha is endowed with vast agro, forest, mineral and other natural resources which can be effectively utilized for value addition and ultimately benefitting the State through economic growth and employment generation”, stated the Governor.

Around 3.5 lakh visitors visited the seven-day trade fair which witnessed a direct business of around Rs.6 crores for the MSME exhibitors while simultaneously generating over business enquiries worth of over Rs.70 crores, said officials of the Fair.

In his speech, Industries Minister Devi Prasad Mishra suggested increased focus on setting up of small industries to create employment opportunities.

He put emphasis upon linkage conversion amongst the MSMEs and mother industries.

MSME Minister Jogendra Behera mentioned about the benefit of trade fair and how it has been instrumental in attracting new investors and youth entrepreneurs.

MSME Principal Secretary Gagan Kumar Dhal focused on the need to establish more agro based industries with more focus on food processing units with value added products.

Source: The Statesman

Image Courtesy: The Hindu Business  line