Bhubaneswar, Sept. 22: Facebook conducted a training workshop for micro-entrepreneurs (small-scale businessmen) and self-help groups (SHGs) on digital marketing skills in Balasore today.

More than 2,250 entrepreneurs took part in the event, which was the second programme under the series. The first programme was held in Bhubaneswar on August 10, which was inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Facebook in partnership with state government through the micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME) department and project Mission Shakti will train 25,000 entrepreneurs all over the state under the programme.

Additional chief secretary of MSME department L.N. Gupta said the training in digital marketing skills would help the entrepreneurs with new digital resources, insight and stimulus to build and grow their business online.

'The programme is designed to equip small and medium entrepreneurs with knowledge, skill and technology to be innovative and increase market reach globally,' Gupta said.

He added that the joint initiative would bring-in the 3T- technology, transparency and teamwork- enunciated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik in day-to-day transactions of these entrepreneurs.

The joint workshop of small and medium-sized enterprises and the self-help groups will facilitate vertical integration and promote exchange of business ideas and strategies amongst them.

Commissioner of Mission Shakti Sujata Kartikeyan termed the initiative as Digital Bali yatra, which would have 'far-reaching impact' on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Mission Shakti involves 50 lakh women from all corners of Odisha. The mission focuses on holistic empowerment.

Head of policy programmes, Facebook, South Asia, Ritesh Mehta said: 'Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and an important part of the Facebook community. Odisha is one of fastest growing state economies in the nation. We want to help accelerate this growth by giving entrepreneurs the skills they need to build and grow a business, by connecting them with customers at home and abroad.'

Deputy general manager of State Bank of India B.K. Das, representatives of UCO Bank, Indian Bank and Bank of India provided their inputs to the participants about credit access to MSMEs and Mission Shakti members.

'These training workshops will be held at various locations such as Cuttack, Berhampur, Angul, Sambalpur, Rayagada, Jeypore, Puri and Keonjhar. We will reach out to 30 districts in the state,' Gupta said.