BHUBANESWAR: The Union Ministry of MSME has approved establishment of a Livelihood Business Incubation (LBI) Centre at the regional office of Coir Board Bhubaneswar under the Scheme for promotion of Innovation, Rural Industry and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE). The incubation centre will focus on development of new technologies in coir industry. The Board will partner with Centre for Agri Management of Utkal University for promoting entrepreneurship in the field, Secretary, Coir Board Kumar Raja told mediapersons here on Monday.
Taking part in a national seminar on ‘New Generation Coir Products and Investment Opportunities in Odisha’, organised jointly by Coir Board and Centre for Agri Management, Raja said the Board is also keen to associate itself with the Agribusiness Incubation Centre being established in the University. Coir Board is also aiming to promote exports of coir products from Odisha under the export promotion programme.
“The coir industry, which is an integral part of agribusiness, holds immense potential for entrepreneurship development through innovative ideas for product development. The Board is making sincere efforts for enhancing the raw material utilisation, value addition and employment creation in Odisha and to bring about more value addition to the products manufactured,” he said.
Among others, Vice-Chancellor Prof Ashok K Das, Centre head Deepak Ram, Additional Secretary MSME Department BN Nanda also spoke.