Patnaik asks UCCI to build new breed of entrepreneurs

Asking Utkal Chamber of Commerce & Industries (UCCI) to build a new breed of entrepreneurs, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said a close interaction between industry bodies and government would help enhance efficiency, competitiveness of existing business besides expanding opportunities for future.
"If you can take up that as a mission in your Golden Jubilee year, I think that would be a befitting contribution of your Chamber to the ongoing pace of industrialisation in our state," Patnaik said while addressing a function marking 50th anniversary of the UCCI.
UCCI was instituted in January 1964 by a group of entrepreneurs with persuasion from legendary statesman Biju Patnaik.

Stating that Odisha is steadily becoming a preferred destination of industries on the strength of good governance and industry friendly atmosphere, Patnaik said the state has been able to rope in more than 90 globally reputed investors across sectors like steel, aluminium, cement, power, petroleum and many others.
The state government has taken several initiatives to catalyse industrial growth in the state. The Industrial Policy Resolution 2007, Odisha MSME Development Policy 2009, the Odisha Food Processing Policy 2013 are some major endeavours to boost industrialisation in the state, he said.
Besides, Patnaik pointed out that the state is also emerging as a hub for education, IT, software and healthcare facilities and urban infrastructure of international repute.

"This growth of social sector along with a great cultural heritage and places of tourist interest also help in increasing preference as an investment destination," he said.
The state has taken huge strides to ensure skill development of unemployed rural youth, Patnaik said adding that the state government is in process of up-gradation of District Employment Exchanges into Career Development Centres in PPP mode.
"The RBI report for the year 2012-13 has placed Odisha at the top when it attracted more than Rs 53 thousand crore as investment in that year, which was about 27 percent share of all-states put together," the Chief Minister said.