The State Government proposed to set up 13,292 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) units during 2013-14 fiscal to create employment opportunity for over 76,000 persons.
In order to help the educated youth to take the advantage of the self-employment schemes under the MSME department, the State Government also decided to intensify sensitisation of as many as 60,000 boys and girls to provide hand-holding support through 417 sensitisation programmes.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the progress of the MSME activities, asked the authorities to undertake awareness and motivation programmes in each block and urban local bodies for setting up the new MSME units.
According to official sources, since there has been potential for development of MSME units in Clusters Development Programme, the Chief Minister directed the authorities to take steps to set up at least 10 clusters for the development of agro-related industries.
Sources said that it was decided to set up 10 food processing industries training centers in ten agro-industrial estates. Besides, an estimated Rs 7 crore would be invested for technology upgradation on food processing industries and cold chain activities.
It was also decided to launch 10 vendor development programmes for the skill upgradation of micro entrepreneurs and the Chief Minister directed the MSME authorities to ensure credit linkage to the MSME enterprises. He also stressed the need for expediting the three proposed downstream parks to be set up.