Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards empowering women in the industrial and business sectors, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) – Odisha Chapter.

Developed with the support of NITI Aayog, the platform aims to go beyond being just an institutional initiative. Describing it as a “mass movement,” the Chief Minister said it will strengthen women's economic leadership and play a key role in Odisha’s growth journey.

During the ‘Udyami Odisha MSME Programme’ held in Bhubaneswar, coinciding with International MSME Day celebrations, the Chief Minister said, “The goal is to build an Odisha where women are not just job seekers but job creators. They should not remain mere consumers but become producers and leaders of development.”

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also unveiled a one-year action plan for the WEP initiative. Highlighting the success of the Subhadra Yojana, he said more than one crore women in the state have been empowered and are moving towards self-reliance.

According to data from IIM Sambalpur, SBI, and AI-based voice bot surveys, women-led enterprises in Odisha have increased from 25% to 53%, marking more than a twofold rise. Additionally, the average bank deposits of beneficiaries have increased by ₹6,887.

WEP Platform to be unified hub

The newly launched WEP platform will serve as a unified hub, ensuring coordination among Mission Shakti, MSME department, Startup Odisha, banks, and industry bodies. It will provide women entrepreneurs with access to finance, market linkages, mentorship, and skill development opportunities.
Several new partnerships and collaborations were also announced in handloom, skill development, homestays, and technology sectors.

The Chief Minister announced multiple infrastructure initiatives. A Rice Milling Cluster worth ₹24.18 crore was inaugurated in Baleshwar to promote rice bran oil production. Additionally, a ₹17.7 crore Rasagola Cluster was launched in Pahala, which is expected to increase daily production capacity from 7,000 kg to 11,000 kg.

Two multi-product MSME parks, each costing ₹10 crore, were inaugurated in Brahmapur (Ganjam) and Kesinga (Kalahandi). The Chief Minister also revealed plans to establish engineering, printing and packaging, and cashew clusters in the near future, along with at least one MSME park in every district.

He further informed over 4.32 lakh MSMEs in Odisha have benefited from joint efforts of the state and central governments. Under the PMEGP scheme, 4,900 enterprises have received subsidies worth ₹146 crore, with women accounting for 42.5% of beneficiaries.

NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri, who attended the event, praised Odisha’s economic progress, stating that the state has emerged as a “rising star” with a GSDP growth rate higher than the national GDP. 

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida described the launch as the beginning of a new chapter for women, calling them pioneers of a women-led economy. MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik expressed confidence women entrepreneurs will play a decisive role in achieving Odisha’s 2036 vision.

The event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, senior officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and thousands of women entrepreneurs from across the state.