THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 12, 2026

 “Export is no longer a choice. It is the need of the hour and imperative for the development of the State,” said Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, Government of Odisha, while inaugurating a two-day consultative workshop aimed at shaping a robust export strategy for Odisha.

Organized by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics under the Planning & Convergence Department, the two-day Internal Consultative Workshop on Odisha’s Export Ecosystem was held on June 11 and 12 at Hotel Kalinga Ashok, Bhubaneswar. The event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, export promotion agencies, sector experts and knowledge partners to deliberate on measures to strengthen the State’s export competitiveness and chart a roadmap for export-led economic growth.

Addressing the gathering, Singh highlighted India’s long-standing strengths in trade and enterprise, emphasizing how the country’s entrepreneurial spirit, cultural heritage and resilient business practices continue to withstand evolving global geopolitical challenges. Stressing the need for market diversification amid rising global uncertainties, he noted that Odisha’s rich maritime trading legacy, exemplified by the historic Bali Jatra, coupled with its distinctive skill base, provides the State with unique advantages in the global marketplace.

Singh also appreciated the efforts of the Strategic Management Support Team led by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics for steering focused discussions on export competitiveness and grounding policy deliberations in practical realities. He underscored the importance of developing a future-ready export ecosystem capable of driving sustainable economic growth and enhancing Odisha’s position in international markets.

The inaugural session was attended by Rashmita Panda, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, MSME Department; Subhashree Nanda, Additional Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department; Dr. B.B. Nanda, Director of Economics and Statistics; Manas Ranjan Samal, OSD, Directorate of Economics and Statistics; and Laxmidhar Biswal, Joint Director, Directorate of Economics and Statistics.

Throughout the workshop, participants examined Odisha’s current export landscape, sectoral strengths, production clusters and key commodities while identifying bottlenecks across logistics, infrastructure, quality standards, certification, compliance, financing and market access. The discussions focused on addressing value-chain gaps and unlocking growth opportunities in high-potential sectors.

Dedicated technical sessions explored opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing and seafood exports, while also examining the prospects of handlooms, handicrafts, engineering goods and electronics. Deliberations further covered critical enablers such as export insurance, testing and certification facilities, logistics infrastructure and export finance.

Representatives from leading institutions and agencies, including APEDA, ECGC, EEPC, MPEDA, SEAIOR, ORMAS, APICOL, AROMA and various State government departments, actively contributed to the discussions. Stakeholders emphasized the need to identify priority export commodities, target emerging international markets and implement policy interventions that can strengthen Odisha’s integration with global value chains.

The workshop generated a range of actionable recommendations focused on infrastructure development, capacity building, improved institutional coordination, financial support mechanisms and sector-specific export promotion initiatives. Successful export promotion models adopted by other states were also reviewed for possible adaptation in Odisha.

The recommendations emerging from the workshop will serve as key inputs in formulating a focused export strategy for the State. The proposed framework aims to enhance competitiveness, expand market reach and unlock the untapped export potential of Odisha’s priority sectors, reinforcing the State Government’s commitment to building a resilient and globally competitive export ecosystem.