While Nalco provides a large market for the MSMEs of Odisha and has supported the growth of the sector as a responsible Mother Plant, the company is considering increasing the purchase preference from MSMEs, from existing 15% to 20%, which would enhance the procurement volume,” said Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Nalco. He was addressing a seminar on ‘Developing MSME Sector in Odisha’ on 7th March, as part of the MSME Trade Fair in Bhubaneswar. In his special address on ‘Role of Nalco in Development of MSME Sector in Odisha’, Dr. Chand expressed that the company is interested in greater collaboration by entering into an MoU with the Department of MSME to further boost the small and medium scale industries of the State.
While complimenting the Department of MSME for various initiatives taken up for the development of the ancillary and downstream industries, Dr. Chand also highlighted the various steps taken up by Nalco in this regard. Citing Nalco as a promoter of MSMEs, he informed that the company made purchases amounting to Rs.350 crore from MSMEs recently, out of which orders worth Rs. 250 crore were from Odisha-based MSMEs. “The percentage will go up in the future, because Nalco is now focused towards inclusive growth by supporting the MSME and ancillary industries of the State,” assured Dr. Chand. “Nalco already has a system in place to support its MSME vendors. The company has played an exemplary role in providing specific drawings, designs, technology and service support to MSMEs for producing the products required by the company. The company also has an online grievance redress mechanism,” informed Dr. Chand. Comparing the large industries and MSMEs, to trunk and roots, he emphasized the importance of MSMEs by citing that if the roots are alive the trunk can survive and develop into a big tree.
Among others, Shri L.N. Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt. of Odisha, MSME Department, Shri Sanjay Singh, IAS, CMD, IDCO, Shri Sanjeev Chopra, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries, Govt of Odisha, Shri Barada Kanta Mishra, Director, IMMT, Bhubaneswar, Shri S.K. Kar, Central Tool Room & Training Centre, Bhubaneswat, Dr. P.S.G. Krishnan, Director & Head, CIPET, Bhubaneswar and Shri A.K. Patra, Executive Director (Materials), Nalco participated in this seminar.