NSIC to set up MSME facilitation centre

NSIC also plans to set up 20-25 incubation centres in Odisha in next four to five years for encouraging new entrepreneurs

The National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), a mini ratna Government of India company, plans to set up an MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) facilitation centre in Bhubaneswar with an investment of Rs 60 crore.

“The facilitation centre will have all the service providers for the growth of MSMEs in the state. The construction is likely to start in a month and will be completed in nine months,” said H P Kumar, chairman cum managing Director, NSIC.

Kumar was in the city to attend the valedictory function of the second edition of the Odisha MSME International Trade Fair-2014. The centre will be a one-stop solution for the development of MSMEs and will house service providers like training institutes and insurance companies.

NSIC also plans to set up 20-25 incubation centres in Odisha in the next four to five years for encouraging the new entrepreneurs.

On proposal of the state government for signing a pact with NSIC for facilitating linkage for MSMEs in the state, Kumar said, “We are very keen for the pact. We shall be having the arrangement shortly which will allow the MSMEs of Odisha to access credit support from the banks with which the NSIC has the agreements.”

NSIC has agreements with 23 major banks in the country including the nationalized and private banks. Kumar said the pact may be signed in a month or two. The Odisha government had expressed its keenness to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NSIC to facilitate credit linkage for MSMEs (micro, small & medium enterprises) in the state. In a separate development, a South Africa based entrepreneur Kamal Gajra having roots in India has proposed to import 20,000 tonne boiled rice worth Rs 48 crore from Odisha through the company Greenwich based in Ivory Coast.

He is likely to meet the state government officials after January 20 in this regard. Panchanan Dash, secretary (MSME) said, “As per figures available with us, the MSME trade fair has generated sales worth Rs 4.50 crore. The overall footfall at the fair has been 267,000. The total number of business enquiries is calculated at 125,940.”