Panel discussion on Odisha’s Exports

WTC Bhubaneswar in association with WTC Mumbai and Business Standard organized a panel discussion on: “Odisha Exports: Sail towards a better future with international trade” at Bhubaneswar on 7th November 2014. This was the third programme of WTC Mumbai partnering with Business Standard.
Mr.Vishal Dev IAS, Industries Secretary and Chairman and Managing Director, IDCO said the new export policy of the State will provide various support to the entrepreneurs to boost export. The policy envisages increasing the export turnover from the present level of 12,246 crores to 38,714 crores in a span of 10 years. The new policy has a life cycle approach and the challenge is to see that the export policy is properly implemented. It mainly focuses on youth and enabling them to start export. In order to compete in the global market export units of Odisha need to improve quality of their products, adopt new technology and undertake skip upgradation, diversification, etc which will have significant impact on the overall industrial climate of the State, Mr.Dev said
Mr.Ramesh Mahapatra, President, Utkal Chamber of Commerce & Industry is of the opinion that the export target of the State for the next 10 years should be $10 billion and not $6.35 billion as projected by the State and accordingly the state export policy should be reframed. Mr. Mahapatra mentioned that even though China’s labor is three times costlier than India they are the major importer of iron ore from the State and after processing they are re-exporting to the steel plants of the State and yet viable. The State needs to concentrate now more on IT and ITes, Gems and Jewellery, Marine products, textiles, agro products, handloom and handicrafts as the potential items for export basket of the state. The state should initiate bringing automobile manufacturing so that all the ancillary industries can be flourished in the State. In order to strengthen the potential of Gems and jewellery sector the Gem & jewelery park can be thought of for the State.
Mr.S.Prahlathan, Chief General Manager, Export Import Bank of India, said handicrafts, marine products and tourism sectors has a lot of potential to generate foreign exchange for the state. There is tremendous scope for adventurous and eco-tourism in the state. State intervention is needed to achieve scalability. Tax holidays are a good concept that has proved to achieve higher productivity and employment generation. He suggested cluster approach for getting MSME loans. The cluster approach needs to extend for collective brands, sourcing and marketing of the products. The cluster units should work on the principle of compete while collaborating, he stressed.
Mr.S.S.Acharya, Deputy General Manager, SIDBI said that financing is only one part of MSME assistance. They need to more competitive in costing, quality to enter into the value chain for the international market. Quoting the example of MSMEs in Italy, he said that this is the era of collaboration. Forming clusters and mutual credit guarantee will ease the monetary requirement from the financing agencies to provide adequate funding for the projects in the MSME sector. Trust is the pipe line of entrepreneurship. Lot of mentoring is needed in this direction.
Mr. Dilip Satpathy, Dy.Resident Editor, Business Standard moderated the session. Mr. A.O.Kuruvila, Dy.Director, WTC Mumbai in his introductory remark mentioned about the initiatives WTC Bhubaneswar, which aims to facilitate trade and investment promotion in the State, assists local businesses to foray into global markets and help enhance competitiveness of Odisha . The Q & A session added value to the panel session, which was attended by around 100 delegates, representing trade and industry.

In Photo: (L-R) Mr.Ramesh Mahapatra, President, Utkal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr.Vishal Dev IAS, Industries Secretary and Chairman and Managing Director, IDCO , Mr.S.Prahlathan, Chief General Manager, Export Import Bank of India, Mr.S.S.Acharya, Deputy General Manager, SIDBI, Mr. A.O.Kuruvila, Dy.Director, WTC Mumbai.