Odisha can double exports in 10 years, says MSME secy

Odisha Sun Times Business Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 14:

Odisha can double its export figures within 10 years at an annual growth rate of 10% per annum if the State Export Policy-2014 is implemented properly, said Secretary of MSME Department, Panchanan Dash addressing a workshop on the eve of the closing ceremony of Odisha MSME Trade Fair-2015 at the IDCO Exhibition Ground here today.

“The export of metallurgical, marine and electronics products has now exceeded 62% of the total exports from the state. The export from 2012-13 to 2013-14 has grown by more than 52% against the target of 10%. We have to create an atmosphere where the manufacturing sector grows creating massive employment scope for export,” said Dash speaking on the workshop ‘International Market opportunities for Odisha MSME Products’, jointly organised by the Directorate of Export Promotion & Marketing and World Trade Centre, Bhubaneswar.

In his keynote address BK Dash, Director, Export Promotion & Marketing, Odisha informed that Odisha has all the potential to become a leading state in export in the country because of its advantage in location and vast natural resources along with 480 kms of coast line.  The export potential in the sectors like Minerals, Marine, Agriculture, IT, Handloom Textile and Handicrafts, Engineering and Allied Products can make Odisha a leading exporting state of the Country, he said.

“Without any natural resources, a small country like Japan has become a successful economy in the world due to manufacturing of value added products.  But even with abundant natural resources, India is lagging far behind in international trade.  We need to make value added products and explore international business opportunities,” said A.N. Khedkar in the technical session, who also delivered a power point presentation on the entire process of export business and how to become a success in international business.

In his address, N Palai, Director of Industries, described the importance of agriculture based exportable products.  He called upon the entrepreneurs to take advantage of the recently announced Odisha Food Processing Policy for manufacturing of export oriented agriculture products.