By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 5, 2016 : Odisha government has unveiled an ambitious plan to set up 38,000 Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), 10 Food Parks, 10 Livelihood Business Incubators, 10 New village Industry Clusters and five Food Processing Corridors with a potential to create about one lakh jobs.

This was announced here on Saturday by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the sidelines of the launching of the 12th Entrepreneurs’ Week. The initiatives were celebrated to pay a grand tribute to late legendary leader BijuPatnaik and commemorate the 100th birth centenary of the entrepreneurship doyen of Odisha.

“Considering the importance of the MSME segment, Government has taken a number of initiatives to promote MSMEs through policy framework like MSME development policy 2009, Odisha Food processing policy 2013, Odisha Procurement Preference Policy 2015 et al. The Odisha Industries Facilitation Amendment Rule 2015 has been notified to provide a conducive environment for industrialization. Single Window system and Investment Facilitation cell is in operation at state and district levels”, said Naveen Patnaik

Stating that former Chief Minister and his father Biju Patnaik dreamt of an industrially developed and prosperous Odisha, Mr Patnaik said his government gave priority to take Odisha to the top of the industrial map of India to pay tribute to the great leader and the doyen of entrepreneurship.

“The essence of the present Biju Patnaik birth centenary celebration is to spread the spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth of the state. The economic development of a state goes hand in hand with its industrial development. MSMEs are important players of industrialisation. It propels the growth of economy and pace of development,” the Chief Minister said.

The CM presented awards to 21 innovators under Odisha Youth Innovation Fund Scheme.

A brain storming session on different policies related to growth and development of MSMEs was conducted amidst young entrepreneurs.