Bhubaneswar: Odisha and Japan are exploring new avenues of business collaboration, innovation and cross-border entrepreneurship, with a recent agreement between an Odisha-based startup and a Japanese organisation expected to strengthen commercial ties and open up opportunities in international markets. In this regard, a high-level delegation from Japan’s Tottori Prefecture visited Startup Odisha at O-Hub here Tuesday to explore institutional cooperation, business partnerships and possible linkages between the startup ecosystems of the two regions.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of an MoU between Sustainability Leaders Odisha Pvt. Ltd. and Tottori-based Onestruction Inc. The agreement is expected to facilitate business engagement, collaborative initiatives and opportunities for the two organisations to explore markets beyond their respective regions. The Japanese delegation comprised Toru Sasaki, Director General of the Department of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Tottori Prefectural Government; Yoshioka, Director of San-in Godo Bank Co. Ltd.; and Kazuhiko Ikeda, President of Tottori Prefectural Industrial Promotion Organization, besides representatives of several Japanese companies. Addressing the gathering, MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik stressed the importance of international cooperation in promoting entrepreneurship and expanding business opportunities. He said creating an enabling ecosystem for startups to access global markets and connect with international partners would help strengthen economic growth. MSME department Com missioner-cum-Secretary and Startup Odisha chairperson Rashmita Panda highlighted the State government’s efforts to build an innovation-driven startup ecosystem.
She emphasised the need for international partnerships and greater global exposure for emerging enterprises from Odisha. During the visit, the delegation toured the Startup Showcase Stall at O-Hub, where it interacted with entrepreneurs and explored innovative products, technologies and business solutions developed by Odisha-based startups. The participating startups presented their ventures and products, highlighting the State’s growing entrepreneurial capabilities and potential in technology-driven sectors.
The programme also featured business-to-business (B2B) interactions between Odisha-based startups and representatives of companies from Tottori Prefecture. The discussions provided a platform for entrepreneurs and industry representatives from both sides to explore potential partnerships, exchange ideas and identify areas of mutual business interest.