“The State Government is organising the Fair to provide a platform to the entrepreneurs of the state to showcase their products and services and have direct interaction with buyers. As you know MSME sector plays a pivotal role in economic growth of the country. A healthy and vibrant MSME sector is vital for employment generation, development of entrepreneurship, dispersal of economic activities and reduction of regional imbalances. It also enhances optimum utilisation of local resources, skill and talent and empowerment of weaker sections of the society,” said Patnaik.
In its fourth edition, the trade fair is focusing on agriculture, food processing, handicrafts, handloom and textiles, tourism, engineering, chemicals, metallurgical, plastic and polymer, marine processing and packaging. As many as 300 MSMEs have taken part in the fair.
Boasting of High Commissioner of Bangladesh and Ambassador of Vietnam as its guests of honour this year, the fair is expected to make its presence felt in the international market in the coming editions with the participation of foreign industries.
The week-long event will include seminars and workshops, vendor development programmes, B2B meetings and deliberations on various business strategies.
Among others, MSME Minister Jogendra Behera, Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patasani, MLAs Bijaya Kumar Mohanty and Priyadarshi Mishra, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, MSME (Govt. of India) Additional Secretary SN Tripathy, Industries Dept. Principal Secretary Sanjeev Chopra and MSME Principal Secretary GK Dhal were also present during the inaugural ceremony.
The trade fair is being organised by the Directorate of EP&M in association with Directorate of Industries, OSIC, All Industries Associations of the state as well as MSME-DI.