The Odisha Chamber of Commerce (OCC) plays a pivotal role in supporting and promoting the business community in Odisha through a wide range of key initiatives. These initiatives are designed to create a favorable business environment, foster innovation, enhance collaboration, and drive economic growth across sectors. Here’s an overview of some of OCCI’s key initiatives:
Initiative: OCC has been actively involved in building and nurturing the startup ecosystem in Odisha. This includes offering mentorship, funding opportunities, incubation programs, and networking platforms to early-stage companies.
Organizing startup workshops and boot camps to support entrepreneurs. Facilitating investor meetups and pitch sessions to connect startups with potential investors.
Advocating for policy reforms that support startup growth and ease of doing business.
Promoting innovation hubs and co-working spaces for entrepreneurs to collaborate and scale their businesses.
Initiative: OCC organizes sector-specific forums and conferences that bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, IT, tourism, and healthcare.
Hosting industry-specific summits to foster dialogue and partnerships.
Creating opportunities for businesses to learn about the latest industry trends and best practices.Facilitating B2B interactions and business collaboration through forums and panel discussions.
Promoting Odisha’s industries on national and international platforms.
Initiative: One of OCC’s most important roles is to advocate for business-friendly policies and ensure that the voice of the business community is heard by the government.
Lobbying for policy changes that improve the ease of doing business, reduce regulatory burdens, and promote investment in Odisha. Collaborating with state and national government bodies to address issues related to taxes, infrastructure, trade, and investment.
Engaging in discussions about industrial policy and the creation of special economic zones (SEZs) to boost investment.
Providing recommendations for legislative reforms to promote growth and sustainability in businesses.
Initiative: To ensure the growth of businesses in Odisha, OCC supports skill development and capacity-building programs for entrepreneurs and their teams.
Organizing training sessions and workshops on key business topics such as financial management, digital marketing, export strategies, and leadership development.
Promoting vocational training and entrepreneurship programs to enhance the employability of youth in Odisha. Facilitating partnerships with educational institutions to bridge the skills gap in key industries.
Encouraging continuous learning and upskilling for business owners and employees to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market.
Initiative: OCC is deeply committed to promoting trade and export activities to help Odisha-based businesses access new markets and grow their global footprint.
Organizing trade missions and business delegations to international markets to promote Odisha’s products and services. Facilitating export promotion programs that help businesses understand international trade regulations and how to access global markets.
Hosting exhibitions and business expos to showcase Odisha’s industrial products and innovations to international buyers and investors.
Providing market research reports and insights to help businesses identify export opportunities and navigate foreign market complexities.
Initiative: OCC advocates for the development of world-class infrastructure in Odisha to support business growth and attract both domestic and international investments.
Advocating for better infrastructure in key areas such as transportation, energy, and logistics, which are critical to industrial growth. Supporting the development of industrial parks and special economic zones (SEZs) to attract investment and create job opportunities.
Collaborating with government agencies to ensure that infrastructure projects align with the needs of businesses in the state.
Facilitating public-private partnerships (PPP) to improve infrastructure and boost the state’s investment attractiveness.
Initiative: OCC is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs in Odisha by creating opportunities and providing support to help them succeed in business.
Organizing women entrepreneurship forums, workshops, and training programs to address the unique challenges faced by women in business. Promoting financial literacy and helping women entrepreneurs access funding and credit facilities.
Providing mentorship and networking opportunities specifically targeted at women entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses.
Highlighting the achievements of women entrepreneurs through awards and recognition programs.
Initiative: OCC promotes sustainable business practices and the adoption of green technologies to reduce the environmental footprint of industries in Odisha.
Organizing seminars and conferences on sustainable business practices, including waste management, energy efficiency, and renewable energy solutions. Encouraging businesses to adopt green certifications and eco-friendly production processes.
Facilitating partnerships with organizations that promote sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and eco-tourism.
Promoting the adoption of circular economy principles in industries to reduce waste and increase resource efficiency.
Initiative: OCC honours the achievements of businesses and individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their fields through awards and recognition programs.
Organizing OCC Business Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding businesses in various categories such as innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
Celebrating the achievements of startups, SMEs, and large corporations that have contributed to the growth of Odisha’s economy.
Providing visibility and credibility to businesses through public recognition, which helps them attract more customers, investors, and partners.
Initiative: OCC works closely with educational institutions to promote entrepreneurship education and facilitate the development of a skilled workforce for Odisha’s growing industries.
Partnerships with universities and colleges to promote entrepreneurship and business development programs.
Organizing internship programs and industry-academia collaboration to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical business needs.
Promoting research and development (R&D) partnerships between businesses and academic institutions to drive innovation and solve real-world business challenges.
The key initiatives undertaken by the Odisha Chamber of Commerce (OCC) are designed to address the diverse needs of businesses in Odisha. From supporting startups and promoting trade to advocating for policy reforms and fostering sustainability, OCC plays an integral role in the state’s economic development. By providing valuable resources, creating networking opportunities, and pushing for a favorable business environment, OCC is committed to driving growth and innovation for businesses in Odisha. These initiatives help businesses not only thrive in the local market but also expand nationally and globally.