Bhubaneswar: Accion, a global microfinance and impact investment non-profit organisation, will support women self-help groups (SHGs) in Odisha engaged in entrepreneurship to export their products to suitable international markets, the state govt said on Friday after Accion CEO Michael Schlein met chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi.Schlein, along with Singapore-based Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) chairman Ravi Menon and Ant International president Douglas Feagin, called on the CM at Lok Seva Bhawan to discuss ongoing and potential collaborations, govt sources said.
The CM sought the support of the visiting business leaders, who were in Bhubaneswar to attend the Black Swan Summit, in empowering Odisha’s youth and women through scalable and successful entrepreneurship models.Speaking at the Black Swan Summit—a global policy-industry conference that brings together govts, regulators, and leaders in AI, fintech, and digital finance—the CM said Odisha’s development journey reflected deliberate policy choices. “We built credible institutions, enhanced people’s capabilities, and ensured credible governance,” he said.Majhi said Odisha is being positioned as India’s gateway to Asia, connecting the Global South with Indo-Pacific economies. Over recent years, he said, structural reforms strengthened the investment climate while keeping people at the centre of growth. “We simplified business processes, strengthened single-window systems, and introduced policies for IT, electronics, fintech, AI, and other emerging technologies,” he added.Schlein and Feagin said they visited several SHGs and studied their business models. Praising the women for their entrepreneurial efforts, they said Accion could help SHGs scale up into small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “Support will be provided at every stage, including technology, e-commerce, and marketing. SHG women in Odisha also have the potential to export their products,” Schlein said, adding that similar initiatives succeeded in other countries.Menon—also Singapore’s ambassador for climate action and senior adviser to the National Climate Change Secretariat—said the first batch of 195 Odisha students trained in fintech under the GFTN partnership completed their skilling programme and took up jobs in various corporate houses. Several secured placements in Singapore and other overseas markets, he said, adding that the GFTN partnership with Odisha would be taken to the next level through initiatives such as entrepreneurship boot camps for skilled youth.Govt sources said Odisha SHGs are deeply involved in traditional crafts that have steady demand in international markets, especially in Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia. Several SHGs, especially in tribal and KBK districts, are engaged in processing high-value agricultural products such as Kandhamal turmeric and millets suitable for export.
