Bhubaneswar (BaghuaBarta): “The covid – 19 Outbreak has taught us a lot of things but still it is a pandemic. No. of people getting affected by it is increasing day by day but Odisha Government is taking all necessary actions to contain this pandemic & for safety of our people also towards the stability of our economy” assured here by Shri Dibya Shankar Mishra, Hon’ble minister for Home, Industries, MSME & Energy, Government of Odisha, joining an E-Conference organized by Indian Chamber of Commercetoday on “CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITES OF FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR IN ODISHA & THE ROAD AHEAD” at Bhubaneswar. Shri Mishra also told that for the stable economy Industry Operation needs to be smooth & Government of Odisha is always there to help the industries for their uninterrupted running & will provide every support they need. He also pointed that the geographical position, political stability, raw material availability & a proactive attitude of Odisha Government in the leadership of Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon\’ble chief minister of Odisha makes Odisha one the most suitable destination for investment. Giving stress on food processing sector Shri Mishra told that there are huge opportunities for the Food Processors in Odisha & Odisha is looking forward to attract more & more food processors to the state for investment. Mango, orange, banana & other fruits & vegetable processing units are given specific importance he added. Joining the conference Shri Hemant Sharma, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries & Department of MSME said that Government of Odisha is working progressively to contain the pandemic by promoting & making huge changes in Health Infrastructure of the state. He informed that the State Govt. is taking all possible steps by setting up Healthcare Centers in rural & urban areas, providing all important hygiene materials, PPEs & Ventilators etc. to Health Workers & Hospitals. All necessary arrangements are performed in the Quarantine centers in rural & urban areas so that the disease would not be able to spread. Coming back to the current industrial scenario he told that Govt. of Odisha is quite aware of the situation& Government is coming up with New Industrial Policy 2020 in September 2020. Mr Sharma also invited suggestions from Industry Associations like ICC to formulate the IPR 2020 in an effective manner. Mr Reghu G, IAS, Director of Industries, Govt. of Odisha informed about the Current Industrial Operating status & told that the Issues faced by the industries by this unprecedented outbreak & lockdown should be conveyed to the govt. directly or through association or themselves. Mr Sunil Kajaria, CEO, Keventer Agro Ltd informed that Odisha is the perfect destination for Investment & Keventer Agro is coming up with Banana Processing plant in Odisha in 5-6 months. Among the other panelists were Mr Sriram Panda, Convenor Agri & Food Processing Committee, ICC Odisha State Council & MD, MITS Mega Food Park, Ms Priyanka Mohanty, Director, Falcon Marine Exports Ltd, Mr Aditya Bagri, Director, Bagrrys India Ltd., Mr Kalyan C Mohanty, CGM, IPICOL, Dr Pradipta Mohanty, Chairman, SNM Group, Mr Gokul Patnaik, Chairman, Global Agri Systems Pvt Ltd & Mr J B Pany, Co-Chairman, ICC Odisha State Council. The conference was attended by more than 100 participants from Food Processing & allied sectors from different parts of Odisha. After the panel discussion Mr Reghu G, Director of Industries, GoO along with Mr Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries & MSME answered various questions from the audience & assured them to resolve their issues.
Government to bring out new Industrial Policy-Capt. D. S. Mishra
