US trade centre in city

The US Consulate of Hyderabad in association with Indian Chambers of Commerce (ICC) today launched American Business Corner (ABC) in Bhubaneswar to promote trade ties between entrepreneurs of Odisha and the US.

While launching the centre, Katherine Dhanani, US consulate general, said, "The basic idea of establishing ABC is to boost trade ties between the two countries. We want to promote US SME exports here."

The US State office has set up seven such centres in Southern and North-East region of the country, where it does not have any consular presence. These trade centres will act as facilitating agency for export of US technologies and services to the state, she said.

"Odisha is an important destination to invest in cold chain systems as nearly 40 per cent of its vegetable and fruit produces are subjected to spoilage because of the absence of refrigeration facility. We can provide affordable technologies," said Dhanani.

The state produces nearly nine million tonne vegetables and is ranked as fourth top producer of vegetable in India. Odisha also produces more than 2 million tonne fruits annually with mango as the biggest crop. The state government said, there is enough opportunity to invest in cold stores and refrigerated van supply system.

"We lack the ability to store the produces and because of which every year we waste huge amount of fruits and vegetables equivalent to annual consumption of United Kingdom. We need investment in this sector," said Sanjeev Chaddha, director of horticulture, government of Odisha.

"We are keen on refrigeration technology running on solar power which is successfully working in the US. This technology will help us in setting up of cold stores in remote areas," he added.