CII MSME Connect Series 2026 Highlights Expanding Business Opportunities for MSMEs in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Odisha successfully organized the CII MSME Connect Series 2026: Expanding Business Horizon in Bhubaneswar, bringing together senior government officials, industry leaders and MSMEs to strengthen industrial collaboration and create new business opportunities for Odisha’s MSME sector.
The conference was graced by Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education, Government of Odisha, as the Chief Guest.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Sampad Chandra Swain emphasized that achieving the vision of Samrudha Odisha and Viksit Bharat by 2036 and 2047 would require MSMEs to grow alongside large industries. He stressed the need for stronger coordination between MSMEs and anchor industries, along with industrial area mapping to identify MSME opportunities around large industries. Highlighting Odisha’s industrial progress, he stated that Odisha has emerged as the second-highest investment destination in the country after Andhra Pradesh under the Utkarsh Odisha initiative.
Smt Rashmita Panda, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Government of Odisha, highlighted the growing strength of Odisha’s MSME ecosystem, stating that the state has more than 14 lakh MSMEs registered under Udyam. She emphasized the importance of vendor development, stronger industry connect, and ease of doing business, while noting the Government’s focus on sectors such as food processing, mineral & metal and textiles.
Delivering the opening remarks, Mr Anil Kumar Singh, Chairman, CII Odisha State Council, highlighted the contribution of MSMEs towards employment generation and economic growth in Odisha and stressed the need for MSMEs to scale up capabilities to leverage upcoming industrial investments. Mr Manikanta Naik, Vice Chairman, CII Odisha State Council emphasized collaboration between large industries and MSMEs to bridge the industrial growth gap and encouraged enterprises to actively engage with industries for business expansion.
Dr Pradipta Mohanty, Past Chairman, CII Odisha State Council stressed focused development of MSMEs in textiles, food processing and agriculture, along with affordable infrastructure and technology adoption. Mr Sanjay Pattnaik, Past Chairman, CII Odisha State Council highlighted challenges related to land, finance, digital transformation, sustainability and risk management for MSMEs.
The conference enabled MSMEs to interact directly with industries including Vedanta Ltd, Jindal Stainless Ltd, HINDALCO Industries Ltd, JSW Steel Ltd, IFFCO, Talcher Fertilizers Ltd, Calderys India Refractories Ltd, NALCO Ltd, L&T, TPCODL and Shri Mahavir Ferro Alloys. More than 200 MSMEs participated in the conference.
