File picture of the MSME International Trade Fair in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 8: A micro, small and medium enterprises facilitation centre will be set up here by the National Small Industries Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore.

The facilitation centre, expected to be made operational within a year, will guide and help entrepreneurs about latest machineries, technical know-how, financial support and export opportunities. The centre will virtually hand hold the prospective entrepreneurs in setting up their units.

This was announced by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) chairman H.P. Kumar at the closing ceremony of MSME International Trade Fair here yesterday.

The NSIC has plans to open 20 to 25 incubation centres across the state within four to five years, he said, adding that these centres would provide necessary support to the potential entrepreneurs.

Kumar also said that efforts would be made to ensure participation of more and more foreign countries in the international trade fairs, which is jointly organised by the NSIC and the state micro, small and medium enterprises department.

Delegates from countries such as Republic of Malawi, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Brunei had attended the trade fair this year to explore business opportunities in Odisha.

Transactions to the tune of Rs 4.5 crore were made in the weeklong trade fair. Around 1.25 lakh business enquiries were made, while around 2.67 lakh visitors visited the fair. About 270 organisations from across the country and abroad had participated in the fair. In another development, Hindusthan Copper Limited has evinced interest to buy raw materials and consumable items from the micro, small and medium industries through the NSIC.

A memorandum of understanding will soon be signed between the HCL and the NSIC to this effect.

HCL has already placed an order of Rs 2 to 3 crore for purchasing high-chrome grinding metal ball for its plants in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, said the company’s chairman-cum-managing director K.D. Diwan.

Deputy zonal general manager of the NSIC P.C. Nayak said the corporation was also planning to sign agreements with Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, Rourkela Steel Plant and other public sector undertakings for supply of raw materials and other consumable items on behalf of small and medium enterprises.

State MSME department secretary Panchanan Dash said technology demonstration was made for the potential entrepreneurs. “Instead of going outside to get the know-how for establishing industries, new entrepreneurs got the opportunity to see the demonstration of equipment in the trade fair,” he said.