BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday called upon the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector to focus on upgrading capabilities and competency to match the pace of the markets at the national and international level.The MSME sector has to elevate itself to world standards to not only handle challenges but also grab opportunities thrown up by the globalised economy and markets, Patnaik said while formally launching the newly-created MSME Department and inaugurating the eighth State-level Entrepreneurs Week here.The contribution of MSME sector to employment generation, trade and economic growth is phenomenal with around 10 lakh enterprises providing employment to around 20 lakh people. Apart from being the second largest source of employment after agriculture, it reduces disparities and has become the engine for inclusive growth by including vulnerable and marginalised sections of society. Technology, credit and skill development are the areas that need focused attention for sustainable and stronger growth of this sector. The new MSME Department will work up to the expectations of the enterprises and entrepreneurs, he said. Patnaik said, the district industries centres (DICs) are being strengthened with IT-enabled services and re-training and orientation of staff. The Government has upgraded five DICs to Regional Centres to allow them play a more active role in capacity building and provide support to potential and existing entrepreneurs. The Chief Minister also reminisced the entrepreneurship zeal of his father, Biju Patnaik, saying he used to go across the Mahanadi river on a bicycle selling shares of his Orissa Textile Mills even as he was under house arrest at Anand Bhawan in Cuttack by the British in 1946. MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra, however, asked the entrepreneurs to stop harping on subsidies and incentives. In the process of clamouring for incentives and concessions to start enterprises many have “fallen by the wayside” with others stealing the march. He also called for practical implementation of the decisions and programmes of the Government on the field. Ancillarisation should be the focus while all efforts should be made to ensure appropriate linkages for the entrepreneurs. Marketing and credit support should also be enhanced, he said. Among others, Ministers Prafulla Ghadei, Raghunath Mohanty and SN Patro, MSME Secretary NK Sundarray and Industries Secretary Parag Gupta were present.
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