Odisha, Japan strengthen
startup ties; MSME Minister Mallik calls for greater international cooperation
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 10, 2026
Odisha MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik on Tuesday called for
strengthening international cooperation to foster entrepreneurship, promote
innovation and expand business opportunities, as an Odisha-based startup signed
a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Japanese company here.
The agreement was signed between Sustainability Leaders Odisha Pvt Ltd
and Tottori-based ONESTRUCTION Inc. during a visit by a delegation from Japan's
Tottori Prefecture to Startup Odisha at O-Hub in Bhubaneswar.
Addressing the gathering, Mallik emphasised the importance of
international partnerships in creating new avenues for business expansion and
providing local entrepreneurs with access to global markets and opportunities.
The visit was aimed at exploring business partnerships, institutional
cooperation and cross-border linkages between the startup ecosystems of Odisha
and Tottori Prefecture.
The Japanese delegation was led by Toru Sasaki, Director General of the
Department of Commerce, Industry and Labour of the Tottori Prefectural
Government. It also included Yoshioka, Director of San-in Godo Bank Co Ltd, and
Kazuhiko Ikeda, President of the Tottori Prefectural Industrial Promotion
Organization, besides representatives of Japanese companies.
MSME Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary and Startup Odisha Chairperson
Rashmita Panda highlighted the state government's commitment to promoting
innovation, strengthening the startup ecosystem and facilitating global
partnerships for emerging enterprises.
The programme featured presentations by Odisha-based startups showcasing
their products, technologies and business solutions, along with an overview of
the state's startup ecosystem and institutional support mechanisms.
Business-to-business interactions between startups from Odisha and
Japanese companies explored potential collaborations, market opportunities and
areas of mutual interest in sectors such as agriculture, construction,
artificial intelligence, manufacturing, sustainability and healthcare.
The engagement follows preliminary discussions held during the Japanese delegation's visit to Odisha on July 30, 2026, and subsequent efforts to translate the interactions into concrete business partnerships.
The initiative is expected to strengthen institutional relations between Odisha and Tottori Prefecture, facilitate cross-border business networking and open up international market opportunities for startups and emerging enterprises from the state.
