Bhubaneswar, Mar 5: Odisha has been able to successfully overcome the Covid health crisis, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while inaugurating the Odisha MSME Trade Fair today over video-conferencing.

Patnaik said that the impact of Covid pandemic has been far beyond the public health sector. “ Due to the restrictions which were required to control the spread of the virus, the economy has been severely affected,” he said.

Patnaik further said that the MSME sector has been particularly been affected and it will take a long time to recover fully. “Our government had announced a special package to support the MSME sector. We will continue to engage with the MSMEs and ensure that the Covid impact is minimised. We have been working closely with millions of our micro entrepreneurs in the form of Mission Shakti groups. I am glad to know that the trade fair has provided special platform for them to showcase their products,” he added.

The CM also said that Odisha is also doing well in the startup landscape for which Odisha has been recognized at national level as a leader State.

“The startups are the future of industry and MSME because of their innovative and disruptive ideas.  To provide better eco-system, my Government is constructing a dedicated State of art, incubation centre in Odisha known as O-Hub. In the next financial year, the budget of MSME Department is being substantially increased. My Government will always go the extra mile to help and encourage the MSMEs to encourage them to participate and contribute in building a vibrant and globally competitive new resurgent Odisha,” added the CM.