**Bhubaneswar:** On the sidelines of the MSME Trade Fair, 2017, a seminar on “Developing MSME Sector in Odisha” was organized here.
At the outset, L.N. Gupta, Principal Secretary, MSME Department gave an overview of the policies and programmes for the MSME development in the State.
He stated that development of MSME is priority of the Government and emphasised that under the new policies, thrust is being given on promotion of manufacturing enterprises.
He also said that the State Level Single Window Committees have approved 251 projects worth Rs.661 crore since 1st April 2015. In order to create an opportunity for MSMEs to set up downstream units, State Government is setting up Aluminium Park at Angul, Plastic Park at Paradeep, Fly Ash Park at Angul and Marine Food Park at Deras, Bhubaneswar. Besides, 54 product based MSME clusters have been identified for development in a phased manner.
While delivering a special address, T.K. Chand, CMD, NALCO stated that whereas large industries are like trunks of a tree, MSMEs are the roots. Though NALCO has been assisting MSMEs, in order to structure the relationship between NALCO and MSME Department, he proposed an MoU between NALCO and MSME Department, that could be signed for systematic promotion of ancillary and downstream MSMEs in the State.
While delivering another special address, Principal Secretary, Industries Department
Sanjeev Chopra congratulated the MSME Department for organising this year the trade fair with difference.
He informed that the various departments have undertaken reforms in the regulations and processes and today online clearances for 15 services are available for entrepreneurs to take advantage.