Industry and business circles in the State attach much importance to the elections to their premier representative forum Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) scheduled to be held here on Friday.

The attention is focused on the contest for the post of UCCI president between incumbent Brahma Mishra and present vice-president Binod Dash. Notably, Mishra has advanced the two-year elections by four months.

Interestingly, Mishra, who seeks a second term, is opposed by none else than Dash, who had been nominated by the former to become vice-president last time.

Mishra’s camp is quite confident that he will win the Friday battle hands down in view of the “excellent” job he has done for the chamber during his first tenure.

In fact, the UCCI was not active before Mishra appeared on the scene at its helm. A series of activities and programmes initiated by Mishra has elevated the chamber’s image to new heights. A significant contribution of Mishra is bringing the previous factionalism in the chamber to an end.  

Under Mishra’s leadership, the UCCI has achieved success in resolving the crises of shortages of iron ore and coal for industries to a large extent. He has been able to build up beneficial relations between the chamber and the Government. Envoys of several countries have, meanwhile, addressed the chamber. Even, a UCCI delegation visited Nepal and impressed that country’s industrialists for investments in Odisha.

Strong indications are that Mishra’s panel for other posts of the chamber is also set for victory.