Exim Bank partners with FIEO to host export outreach seminar in Bhubaneswar; releases research study on Odisha's trade and investment potential

Bhubaneswar : The Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) today announced plans to open a full-fledged regional office in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant step-up in its engagement with Odisha and reaffirming its commitment to supporting the state's exporters and investors.

The announcement came at a seminar titled "Enhancing Exports from Odisha: Opportunities & Financing Solutions," jointly organised by Exim Bank, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), and the Government of Odisha. The event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, exporters, and financial institutions to chart a path for strengthening the state's export ecosystem.

The proceedings opened with welcome remarks by Shri Anirudha Barooah, Regional Head, Kolkata, Exim Bank, setting the context for the evening's discussions.

In his inaugural address, Shri Tarun Sharma, Deputy Managing Director of Exim Bank, underscored the Bank's renewed focus on Odisha, noting that the upcoming regional office in Bhubaneswar would enable closer engagement with local exporters, MSMEs, and industry bodies. He highlighted the Bank's support for a range of projects across the state, which includes steel, renewables,to wagon manufacturing, amongst many others. Shri Sharma also spoke of Exim Bank's role in facilitating trade finance transactions from Odisha through its Trade Assistance Programme (TAP), the first of its kind in India, extending support to countries including Bhutan, Ethiopia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. He further noted that the Bank has been at the forefront of supporting the state's youth across various sporting disciplines, as well as its artisans in the handicrafts sector.

Ms. Rashmita Panda, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of MSMEs, Government of Odisha, delivered a special address highlighting the state government's efforts to boost export-led growth.

As part of the event, Exim Bank released a research publication titled "The Odisha Opportunity: A Trade and Investment Roadmap,". The study examines the state's export competitiveness across sectors and outlines the untapped potential for expanding trade and investment linkages, positioning Odisha as an emerging export hub for eastern India.

This was followed by a presentation on the Export Promotion Mission by Shri Manoj Singh, Assistant Director General of Foreign Trade, Kolkata.

Ms. Yogita Hatangadi, General Manager, MSME Group, Exim Bank, in her presentation “Building Capabilities, Integrating with Global Value Chains”, highlighted a range of financial solutions for exporters, including lines of credit, overseas investment financing, and support for R&D and technology upgradation. These offerings are specifically designed to address the evolving requirements of Odisha’s manufacturers and exporters.

In her presentation, Ms. Hatangadi also mentioned that, Exim Bank has been designated as the implementing agency for three sub-schemes under the NiryatProtsahan component of the EPM: (i) Credit Assistance for E-Commerce Exporters, (ii) Support for Emerging Export Opportunities, and (iii) Interest Subvention Support for Pre- and Post-Shipment Rupee Export Credit. These initiatives are being implemented in coordination with the DGFTand the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC).

The seminar featured a panel discussion on "Strengthening Exports from Odisha," moderated by Shri Rikesh Chand, Chief General Manager – Credit, Exim Bank. Panellists included, Shri Anjan Mohanty, Chief Operating Officer, Falcon Marine Exports Ltd, Shri Prashuk Jain, Chief Financial Officer, Ferro Alloys Corporation Ltd., and Shri Amit Agarwal, Chief Financial Officer, IFGL Refractories Ltd. Drawing on their experience across the seafood, ferro-alloys, and refractories export sectors, the panellists shared perspectives on the operational and financing challenges facing Odisha-based exporters, the state's competitive strengths in manufacturing and raw material availability, and the steps needed to help local units scale up their presence in overseas markets.

This was followed by an open house discussion on "Institutional Infrastructure for Exports from Odisha," with Ms. Samuchita Mallick, General Manager, Department of Industries, Bhubaneswar, Ms. Juin Choudhury, Regional Head, Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Dr. Biju V.N., Assistant Director, Marine Products Export Development Authority, Dr. Soumya Prakash Dalua, Assistant Director, Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics & Dyes Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL), Ms. A. Rajyalaxmi, Regional Director, World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar, and Dr. Sanjeev Mahapatra, Honorary Secretary, The Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ltd.The discussion focused on the institutional and infrastructural support required to strengthen Odisha's export ecosystem, including trade facilitation, sector-specific promotion efforts, and closer coordination among government bodies, export promotion councils, and industry associations.

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Juin Choudhury, Regional Head, FIEO, where she thanked the gathering and also congratulated Exim Bank towards opening their new regional office in Bhubaneshwar.

Exim Bank noted that the proposed Bhubaneswar office will enable it to deliver its and financing and advisory services more effectively to exporters across Odisha, in line with its broader mandate of promoting India's international trade. The Bank expressed confidence that its partnership with various institutions in the State would further catalyse export growth from the region in the years ahead.

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