Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Young Entrepreneurs Association (OYEA), Khordha Chapter, celebrated its Foundation Day with great enthusiasm at Gita Govinda Sadan in Bhubaneswar, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, MSME stakeholders, government officials and members of the business community.
The event was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Odisha’s Minister of State for MSME, Gokula Nanda Mallik. Other prominent guests included P. K. Gupta, Director and Head of Office, MSME Development and Facilitation Office (MSME-DFO), Government of India; Subhash Chhetri, State Director of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC); Manoj Mohan Sinha, Chief General Manager of the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), Bhubaneswar; and Samuchita Mallick, General Manager of the District Industries Centre (DIC), Bhubaneswar.
Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries highlighted the crucial role played by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in generating employment, fostering innovation and driving industrial growth. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening the MSME ecosystem to support the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
A special technical session on Cluster Development and Government Support Schemes for MSMEs was organized during the programme, providing entrepreneurs with valuable insights into various initiatives and opportunities available for business expansion and competitiveness.
A major highlight of the celebration was the official presentation of “Sankalp Odisha 2026,” a proposed National Level Trade Fair and Industrial Expo that will be organized from August 26 to 30, 2026, at the IDCO Exhibition Ground, Bhubaneswar, as part of OYEA’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The expo will be held under the theme “Empowering MSMEs, Promoting Innovation & Building Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
According to OYEA, the event aims to provide a national platform for MSMEs, startups, artisans and women entrepreneurs to showcase their products and innovations. It will also focus on promoting procurement and marketing opportunities, facilitating buyer-seller meets and B2B networking, creating awareness about government support schemes, encouraging the Make in India and Vocal for Local movements, and strengthening collaboration between industries, educational institutions and government agencies.
The organizers expect the initiative to enhance market access for MSMEs, create new business opportunities, promote Odisha-based products and industries, support first-generation entrepreneurs and contribute to employment generation and industrial development across the state.
With the announcement of Sankalp Odisha 2026, OYEA has outlined an ambitious roadmap aimed at accelerating entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable economic growth in Odisha while providing a strong platform for emerging enterprises to connect with national and international markets.
-OdishaAge
