Bhubaneswar: State Government is striving to create a conducive atmosphere to promote export through greater ease of doing business, implementation of 5T mechanism, infrastructure support and facilities for quality standardization, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Friday.
“We are among the top five states in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020 released by the Niti Aayog,” he said while inaugurating the State Export Award Ceremony-2021 here.
He said the State Government’s efforts to promote exports are paying off in boosting our export turnover consistently.
The Chief Minister said export plays a vital role in the economic growth of any State.
“Odisha has a magnificent history of overseas trade and commerce. The legends of “Sadhab Pua” of Kalinga venturing into overseas markets to promote our merchandise continue to inspire us to regain our past glory,” Patnaik said.
Despite the adverse situation caused by COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister said, export from the State in the current financial year up to November has registered 55 per cent increase over the export value corresponding to the same period in last financial year.
“This is an outstanding achievement by the exporters of Odisha despite global recession and stiff international competition,” he added.
The Chief Minister congratulated the exporting community of the State for this remarkable feat and hope this upward trend will continue in the coming years.
Mr.Patnaik said he was happy to know that district level export promotion committee has been constituted in each district to facilitate export of local products.
There are many local MSME products which have the potential to compete in the global market, he asserted adding, “Time is not far off when the Departmental stores in Europe and America will be studded with products made by our Women Self Help Groups from Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Malkangiri.”
Quality of products is an essential factor for boosting export, he exhorted adding, “We must think of world-class standard while considering the quality aspect of a product or a service.”
Congratulating the winners of the State Export Award, he said, “Together we can make Odisha an export hub of the country.”
Industry & MSME Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra said that Odisha has excellent potential to become a major exporting State in the country because of its natural resources, locations and advantages.
Chief Secretary, SC Mohapatra, Development Commissioner, Pradeep Jena, Agriculture Production Commissioner Raj Kumar Sharma gave away the awards to Exporters on behalf of the Chief Minister for the year 2017-18, 2018-19.
A total 26 exporters of Odisha were awarded in different category on this occasion.
Principal Secretary MSME, Satyabrat Sahu gave the welcome address while Secretary to Chief Minister 5-T V K Pandian coordinated the meeting.