Odisha appoints 85 Industries Promotion Officers

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 13:

Odisha Government today appointed 85 new Industries Promotion Officers (IPO) to work towards setting up an industrial environment in the state that encourages potential investors to set up their manufacturing facilities here.

The appointment letters were handed over to the new recruits in a one day seminar organized by Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Department chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Addressing the seminar, the Chief Minister highlighted the steps the State Government has taken to strengthen the MSME sector and create job opportunities in the state while attracting investment from outside.

“The MSME sector is one of the highest employment providers in any economy after agriculture. Therefore a healthy and vibrant MSME sector is vital for employment generation, development of entrepreneurship, distribution of economic activities & reduction of regional imbalances,” said Patnaik.

“The State Government has given a special focus to the Agro Food Processing Industries in the MSME sector. Apart from being a low investment and high labor intensive industry, it also supports and supplements the efforts of our farmers by way of value addition of their products and efficient marketing,” he added.

Besides, he went on to explain the State Government’s initiatives to promote MSMEs through policy frameworks like the MSME Development Policy – 2009, Odisha Food Processing Policy – 2013, Odisha Procurement Preference Policy- 2015 and Export Policy 2015.

“Industries Promotion Officers are the foot soldiers of MSME Department and as such their role is crucial for development of MSMEs at large. I hope that the newly recruited Industries Promotion Officers will be appropriately sensitized about their role & responsibilities,” said Patnaik speaking about the importance of the IPOs to boost MSME at district levels.

Among others, MSME Minister Jogendra Behera, MSME Secretary Surendra Kumar and Director of Industries Department attended the seminar.