Bhubaneswar, Aug 17 (KNN) Amid Covid-19 crisis, the Odisha government is giving utmost priority to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) state industries Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra said.

The Industries minister Mishra on Sunday while speaking to reporters said that the MSME is the most important sector for livelihood along with industries.

''If industrial houses provide employment to one person, nine persons are comparatively getting jobs in the MSME sector. So, the ratio is 1:9. Therefore, we are focusing on strengthening the MSME sector to provide more livelihood support to people,” he added.

The minister further said more than 70 per cent fund disbursement has been done to boost the MSME sector in the state.

The minister said the government is also trying to provide employment to the people who returned to the state after Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown.

“High skilled labourers who returned to their native places during Covid-19 lockdown are going back to their workplaces. Those staying back will be provided employment,” he added.