Integration of MSME sector with global value chains needs innovation

Bhubaneswar: Integration of MSME sector with global value chains requires the sector to focus more on innovation, be it product innovation or process innovation, said MSME secretary LN Gupta on Thursday.

For that to happen, steady supply of skilled human capital needs to be ensured to drive the experiments with new ideas. Besides to make the integration effective, availability of world-class infrastructure backed by state of art logistic services is necessary, said Gupta.

He was addressing the inaugural session of 7th Global Economic Summit on Global Value Chains at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai on Thursday.

It is in this context, he added Odisha government has set up Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) with an aim to train 11 Lakh youths by 2019-20 and 8.5lakh youths have already been skilled.

He said that Odisha has been promoting the brand “Skilled in Odisha” globally with an objective to provide outstanding skilled workforce comparable to the best in the world.

He further added that promotions of startups, innovation and entrepreneurship remain the top priority of Odisha government, for which it has also started Startup Odisha Initiative with the launch of Start-up Odisha Policy last year with a mission to support 1000 startups and vision of emerging amongst top 3 startup hubs in the country.

In last 10 months, 175 startups are registered under the initiative. Besides, 05 registered and 20 other incubators are working under the initiative.

“We have also launched a massive programme of entrepreneurship development both online and offline,” he stated.

The GES 2018 organized by WTC, Mumbai which is attended by representatives of more than 20 countries and more than 350 delegates.

Gupta informed the audience about the various innovative technological interventions introduced by the state government to facilitate industrial promotions and investment in a time-bound, hassle-free, paperless and transparent manner like GO-SWIFT, GO-SMILE, APPA, GO-PLUS and GO-CARE.

He gave a call to the investors to visit Odisha during ensuing MSME International Trade Fair 2018 to be held during March 5th-10th, 2018 and 2nd Edition of Make in Odisha Conclave during November 11-15TH, 2018 and to explore business opportunities.

Thereafter, the Team Odisha led by L N Gupta comprising of DEPM and representatives of World Trade Center, Bhubaneswar met the Ambassador of Poland, Representative of United Nations, ISRO, Minister Counselor Uganda High Commission , Counselor  High Commission of Bhutan, Director General Trade Promotion of Cambodia.

He sought their support in attracting investment and their participation in MSME International Trade Fair scheduled in March 2018 and the Make-in-Odisha Conclave to be held in November 2018.