Promotion and Growth of MSMEs and Food Processing Units given top most priority in Odisha Trade Fair 2018

New Delhi, Mar 6 (KNN) Investment promotion in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and food processing sector is given top most priority by the State Government, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while inaugurating the Odisha MSME International Trade Fair, 2018 that kick started yesterday i.e. on 5th March.

Beaming with pride, he informed the audience, 30 entrepreneurs from Iran, South Korea and Bangladesh are participating in trade fair for the very first time.

Further he welcomed them all to explore business opportunities in Odisha.

He further mentioned that “more than 3.12 lakh MSMEs have been established in the State with a cumulative investment of 15,300 crore”.

The sector has provided employment to over 13 lakh persons.

Speaking on the occasion, he further mentioned that district-level single window committee have approved more than 336 projects of worth 1796 crore and further efforts are being taken to attract more and more investment in the food processing sector.

MSME Minister, Prafulla Samal said providing a conducive ecosystem for development of MSMEs remained a top priority of the State Government.

He further said that besides special incentives to food processing sectors and MSMEs, the state government is also providing assistance to entrepreneurs in credit mobilization.

On congratulating and acknowledging the state government step for organizing international trade fair for the growth and development of MSME, Union MSME Secretary Arun Panda Panda said that being a backbone of Indian economy, contribution of MSME sector to value addition,  growth of GDP, exports and overall growth of economy  is significant.

On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary in MSME department LN Gupta said more than 300 MSMEs and 30 Start-ups are participating in the trade fair which will continue till March 10.

He added that around 350 stalls have been divided into 6 pavilions and more than 60 women entrepreneurs and 30 Scheduled categories entrepreneurs have put up their stalls in pavilions. (KNN/YV)