Odisha Government is in the process of bringing out a new MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) Development Policy and an Entrepreneurship Development Policy, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while inaugurating the MSME Trade Fair -2016 in Bhubaneswar on January 8.

Inaugurating the seven-day-long trade fair organised by State MSME Department at the IDCO Exhibition Grounds of Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister assured that appropriate mechanisms have been put in place to create an enabling and conducive environment for developing a culture of entrepreneurship in the state.

“The State Government has implemented Industrial Policy Resolution-2015 which provides important incentives and lays emphasis on building infrastructure and other supporting services. State and District Level Single Window Mechanism for clearance of projects have been strengthened by Odisha Industries (Facilitation) Amendment rule, 2015. Facilitation Cells at the State level as well as at the District Level have been institutionalized to provide guidance and hand-holding support to investors. Further, dissemination of industries related information is ensured through web-based applications,” said Patnaik.

“With an objective to boost the MSME segment, the State Government has taken a number of initiatives through policy frameworks like MSME Development Policy, 2009; Odisha Food Processing Policy, 2013; Odisha Procurement Preference Policy, 20 15; and Export Policy, 20 1 5. Odisha Youth Innovation Fund has been created to encourage innovation,” he added.

Participated by about 300 MSMEs, the fair this year focuses on agriculture, food processing, handicrafts, hand-loom and textiles, tourism, engineering, chemicals, metallurgical, plastic and polymer, marine processing and packaging.

Besides, presence of the High Commissioner of Bangladesh and Ambassador of Vietnam as its guests of honor during the inauguration ceremony, gave the fair this year an international edge.

In its fourth edition this year, the exhibition is being organised by the Directorate of EP&M in association with Directorate of Industries, OSIC, various industry bodies of the state and the MSME-DI. It intends to bring together the MSMEs, mother plants, government departments, banks, financial institutions and marketing agencies in a single platform.

It will also include seminars and workshops, vendor development programmes, B2B meetings and deliberations on various business strategies.

Source: Odisha Sun Times