Bhubaneswar: Promotion and growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) has been the topmost priority of the government, said chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurating the International MSME Trade Fair and Entrepreneurship Week on Monday. The focus this year is on food processing.

He said that more than 300 MSMEs and 30 start-ups were taking part in the trade fair this year. Besides, 30 entrepreneurs from Iran, South Korea and Bangladesh are also taking part in the trade fair for the first time. He welcomed them all to explore business opportunities in Odisha.

Naveen stated that more than 3.12 lakh MSMEs have been established in the state with a cumulative investment of more than Rs 15,300 crore. They are providing employment to more than 13 lakh persons. He added that investment promotion in the MSME and food processing sectors remain a focus area of the government and informed that altogether 336 projects worth Rs 1,796 crore have been approved by district-level single-window clearance committees since April, 2015.

He wished all the international participants, industry associations, entrepreneurs and start-ups the very best for their business promotion and entrepreneurial endeavours.

Speaking on this occasion, MSME minister Prafulla Samal said that development of MSMEs and creating provision for a conducive eco-system for their development were the state government's priorities.

"We are assisting the entrepreneurs not only through the newly-declared policies for MSME and food processing sectors, but also with the help of credit mobilisation to MSMEs," he said.

Industries and higher education minister Ananta Das expressed happiness over the organisation of the trade fair and participation of international delegates. He added that Odisha provides congenial environment to the entrepreneurs for setting up their industries in the state and requisite framework for ease of doing business.