BHUBANESWAR: In a significant step towards promoting Odisha as an export hub for chemicals, petrochemicals, speciality chemicals, cosmetics, essential oils and downstream manufacturing, the Utkal Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ltd. (UCCIL) and the Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics & Dyes Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL) hosted a workshop in Bhubaneswar on Saturday during which CHEMEXCIL and the Odisha MSME Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote export-oriented industrial development.
The MoU seeks to enhance MSME competitiveness, facilitate capacity building and strengthen market access for enterprises in the state.
The workshop, titled “Unlocking Export Potential of Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Speciality Chemicals, Cosmetics, Essential Oil & Downstream Manufacturing Sectors in Odisha,” was organised by CHEMEXCIL in collaboration with UCCIL and in association with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Niryat Bandhu Scheme. It brought together policymakers, senior government officials, exporters, MSMEs, industry representatives and trade experts to discuss ways to strengthen Odisha’s exports in chemicals and allied sectors.
CHEMEXCIL and UCCIL also signed a separate MoU to collaborate on workshops, seminars, capacity-building programmes, networking, advocacy and exposure visits aimed at strengthening Odisha’s export ecosystem.
Addressing the workshop, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Hemant Sharma, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary, MSME Department, Rashmita Panda, reiterated the state government’s commitment to promoting industrial growth, export competitiveness and ease of doing business through progressive policies and strategic partnerships.
CHEMEXCIL Executive Director Vishal Ganju said Odisha has the resources, entrepreneurial talent and industrial potential to become a significant contributor to India’s export growth. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government, industry and export promotion institutions to create globally competitive enterprises and expand opportunities for MSMEs and manufacturers.
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade Vishnu Kant outlined the Centre’s export promotion initiatives, including the Export Promotion Mission, Free Trade Agreements, the District Export Hub initiative and e-commerce exports. Shakti Vinay Shukla, Director of the Fragrance & Flavour Development Institute (FFDC), Kannauj, highlighted opportunities in the essential oils, fragrance and Kewda processing sectors and encouraged entrepreneurs to explore value-added manufacturing and exports.
The workshop featured technical sessions on export readiness, international trade procedures, export incentives, export documentation, compliance requirements and strategies for entering global markets. Participants also attended discussions on manufacturing opportunities in the essential oils and fragrance sector and an industry presentation by Tata Power Solar Roof on sustainable energy solutions for manufacturing industries.
