Exports facilitate international trade and stimulate domestic economic activity by creating employment, production, and revenues. World Trade Center Bhubaneswar under the Export Facilitation Cell by the MSME Department, Government of Odisha organized an orientation program on Exports in association with Orissa Small Scale Industries Association (OSSIA) to promote potential exporters by training them on the nitty-gritty of foreign trade through counselling and outreach programmes.

Shri. Bhibuti Bhushana Dash, (IOFS), Special Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha graced the occasion as the chief guest and deliberated on the nuances of International Trade, Export Turnover Scenario, Export Preparedness Index of Odisha and the initiatives / schemes / incentives by the Government of Odisha for the potential exporters as well as the aspiring exporters to enhance exports from the state.

Shri. Rajen Padhi, Commercial Director, B-One Business House and Honorary Convener, International Trade Promotion Think Tank, WTC Bhubaneswar delivered a detailed presentation on the export procedures, export documentation and export financing. He spoke on the basic concept of International Trade, India’s Top 10 trading partners, GATT, WTO, WCO AND Export Procedures. He also spoke on the basics of starting an export business, IEC Registration, RCMC, Export Promotion Councils, Export Documentation, Inco Terms, SWIFT, Duty Drawback, RODTEP Scheme, modes of payment, types of LC Payment Risk Coverage, Payment Regulators and Custom Tariff Act 1975.

Earlier in the session, Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar delivered the welcome address and urged the MSMEs to approach Export Facilitation Cell for all their queries and bottlenecks and assured resolution for the same.

Shri. Deepak Kajaria, President, Orissa Small Scale Industries Association proposed the vote of thanks and briefed on the export potential from the state and areas that can be focused on to accelerate exports.

A live GEM Registration helpdesk was set up to onboard the MSMEs on GEM Portal and assist the registered members for any issues they might be facing on the portal to further curb the same.

The session was followed by a highly interactive Q&A session.

The session was held on 24^th May, 2023 at OSSIA, Cuttack.