Bhubaneswar, Oct 20 (KNN) Odisha Government is drafting the new MSME Policy and is holding meetings to finalize the draft and appropriate period to launch it, a Senior Official from Department of MSMEs, Odisha, told KNN.

The official further said that to ensure adequate availability of coal the sector, along with NSIC, the OSIC will also supply coal from 2017.

According to a news report, the Odisha government has is planning to launch sector specific policie before the 'Make in Odisha' conclave to be held on December 1 and 2, aimed at attracting investments to the state.

The sector specific policies to be launched are: Textiles and Apparel policy, Pharmaceuticals policy, Biotechnology policy, Renewable Energy policy, Healthcare Investment policy, MSME Development policy and Food Processing policy (amendment).

Talking to KNN, the Additional Secretary, Department of MSMEs, Odisha, B G Behera said, “The MSME Policy is in the draft stage and it would be a little early to say when it would be launched.”

He said, “The meetings to discuss the policy are being continuously held. One such meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.”

Behera said the new MSME Policy will be a modification of the MSME Policy 2009 and will surely improve ease of doing business environment for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.

Talking about the Make in Odisha Conclave to be held in December, the Government Official said the state is all geared up to woo the investors.

“Land availability, raw material availability etc is not a problem in the state. The state recently launched the Start-up Policy,” he added.

Coal allocation to MSME sector has always been an issue. Talking on this, Behera said, “Presently the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) supplies coal to the MSME sector. Starting 2017, Odisha State Industries Corporation (OSIC) too will supply coal to the sector to ensure adequate allocation at cheaper rates,” he added.

Odisha has prepared a shelf of over 125 projects which it will showcase at the upcoming conclave in collaboration with the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP).

The conclave would showcase the policy and regulatory environment, investment opportunities across focus sectors and manufacturing prowess of the state. (KNN Bureau)