New Delhi: Union minister for petroleum and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan called upon all stakeholders of industry to take responsibility to help Odia businessmen, particularly youth become efficient entrepreneurs.
While participating in a webinar titled ‘Financial packages and opportunities for MSME in Odisha’ organised by Odia Samaj, New Delhi, to mark the occasion of International MSME day on 27th June, the union minister said that in Odisha, there is no shortage of resources, skills, raw materials, hard-working human resources, and own markets to develop MSME sectors, including ancillary sectors.
The union minister said that both the Central and State governments are jointly working for the development of MSME sector.
The union minister also laid emphasis on preparation of detailed plan to boost the MSME sector in Odisha. In States like Odisha, an ecosystem should be developed among bankers and entrepreneurs to facilitate the industry.
He added that many Odias have occupied crucial positions in the financial sector both in the country and abroad and are doing quite well, including the stock market, the banking and accounting world, and the financial capital of the country, Mumbai. We can utilise this asset to develop the financial service Industry in Odisha.
Participating in the webinar, Debasish Panda, union secretary, department of financial services said the Centre has given huge priority to the MSME sector in its financial package, which will provide ample opportunities for MSME businessmen and new entrepreneurs to become self-reliant. Loans will be easily available without paperwork for existing borrowers. If the bank refuses to lend, the State and district level banking committees can be contacted. Even first time borrowers can avail upto Rs. 2 Crore loan without collateral.
Former union MSME secretary Arun Panda said, “Investment in value added services for the agriculture sector can double farmers’ income”.
Odisha MSME principal secretary Hemant Sharma highlighted the State government’s six priority MSME sectors. He assured that the State government is taking adequate measures to take advantage of the recent measures taken by the government of India to boost the MSME sector.He also clarified that Odisha is an electric power surplus State and the electricity charge is quite competitive compared to other States.
Idco chairman Sanjay Singh elaborated about 30 MSME Parks in 30 districts of the State and the ease of doing business. He explained about the Plug and Play Industrial Parks developed by the State to give required impetus to investment.
Former UBI MD & CEO Ashok Pradhan Former advised the banking sector to create an environment for timely lending by banks without which the State would lag behind other states. He stressed on the need to give importance to value added agro products in order to compete with China.
President of Odia Samaj, Sidhartha Pradhan gave the vote of thanks. The Webinar was well attended by more than 1000 representatives from MSME sector of Odisha to gain an insight into the opportunities and possibilities for MSMEs in Odisha.
