Value of exports from Odisha increases to Rs 40,879 crore

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government today said the value of exports from the state has doubled to Rs 40,879 crore in 2016-17 from just Rs 19,551 crore in 20140-15.

The claim was made by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises minister Prafulla Samal while highlighting his department's achievements after completion of the Naveen Patnaik government's three years in the fourth term.

"We have registered an increase in exports by 109 per cent," Samal said adding that the state government was preparing to establish a Raptani Bhavan in order to provide single window facility to exporters under a single roof.

The minister said an international cargo facility from the Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar, has resumed after a gap of 15 years.

Samal also said that a total 1,43,012 Micro, Small and Medium enterprises have been established at an investment of Rs 8075 crore with an employment generation to 4.52 lakh persons.

MSME secretary LN Gupta, who was present at the press meet here yesterday, said altogether, 2732 motivational camps have been organised across the state to motivate the youth for setting up MSMEs.

On the policy framework, Gupta said Odisha MSME Policy, 2009 has been replaced with an up-to-date Odisha MSME Development Policy, 2016 with greater focus and schemes for the development of MSMEs.

The minimum capital investment subsidy (CIS) for a new industry has been enhanced from Rs.8 lakh to Rs.1 crore for General Category and from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.1.25 crore for SC/ST/Differently abled/Woman/Technical Entrepreneurs, he said.

Similarly, Odisha Food Processing Policy, 2013 has been replaced with a more comprehensive Odisha Food Processing Policy, 2016. In OFPP, 2016 various new components like assistance for cold chain, modernisation of meat shops, anchor industry in a food park, H.R. Development and others have been incorporated to spur the growth of food processing industry.

OFPP-2016 envisages setting up of nine State Food Parks and 3 NABL accredited Food Testing Laboratories. The MITS Mega Food Park at Rayagada developed in PPP mode is complete while the Mega Sea Food Park at Deras is at advance stage of execution.

He said LT Foods is an anchor investor in the MITS Mega Food Park. In the Mega Sea Food Park at Deras, IDCO has already made allotment in respect of 20 applicants. At least 642 MSM enterprises have been provided total assistance of more than Rs 61 crore under different state policies, Gupta said.

With a mission to set up 1000 startups and to make Odisha as the third best startup hub, the state govenrment has launched a most comprehensive Startup Policy, 2016. In order to strengthen the startup ecosystem, a startup helpline as well as Startup Portal (www.startupodisha.gov.in) has been launched, he said.

In order to encourage innovation amongst youth, the state government has set up a Youth Innovation Fund with OSIC.

Under the fund, so far 61 youths have been awarded assistance of Rs.36 lakhs for their new 'ideas' and development of 'prototypes'.

In order to assist the intending entrepreneurs to set up their 7572 Micro enterprises, margin money assistance of Rs 158 crore has been provided under PMEGP with employment opportunity to approximately 44,700 persons.