CEO of Quocent Sdn. Bhd, Saswat Panda bags Small Business Global Trade Award

Mr. Saswat Kumar Panda, CEO of Quocent Sdn. Bhd. received ‘Small Business Global Trade Award’ from Mr. R. Balakrishnan, IAS Development Commissioner cum Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Odisha on Friday (19^th May) on the occasion of World Trade Day celebration by WTC Bhubaneswar. The award was given to the CEO of Quocent Sdn. Bhd. for his significant achievement in the export of IT services.  

Quocent was incorporated in the year 2011 and it has become one of the leading IT service providers in Odisha and eastern India. The company has been providing efficient IT solutions to its clients in the Asian Pacific region. Mr. Saswat Kumar Panda thanked officials of Govt of Odisha and World Trade Centre, Bhubaneswar staff for considering him for the award. For the first time, the WTC Bhubaneswar marked the World Trade Day in Odisha.

Speaking on the occasion,  Mr. R. Balakrishnan highlighted the tremendous potentials of the state in various sectors and also shared as to how the trade and commerce of Odisha have emerged over the years to mark its own distinctive place. While praising the entrepreneurs he lauded the state government for its bold decision making bringing in convergence among various departments for quick and effective actions to be taken in favor of the industry and MSMEs. “Convergence is set as a theme for governance in the state” he added.

Addressing the delegates Mr. L.N. Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Department of MSMEs Government of Odisha praised and thanked the MSMEs for the achievement in exports by the state which has increased 100% over the last year. He also shared that the department would soon present the policy and infrastructure framework for exporters in the new export policy.

Mr. Sanjay Singh, IAS, Chairman cum Managing Director, IDCO shared with delegates various infrastructural initiatives taken by the state government. “We are aggressively working on setting up a seafood park as well as a plastic park” he added. He also highlighted the initiatives of setting up a National manufacturing zone, economic zone and coastal economic corridor.

Dr.Pankaj Jha, a key speaker for the day spoke on the theme of “Defining the Future Road Map for India-ASEAN Economic Relations - Role of Odisha”. Odisha can benefit from two basic elements in the action plan which is Mining and Natural Resources Management and Science, Technology and Innovation” he added.

In his welcome address, Director of the Centre Mr. Y.R. Warerkar said “World Trade Day is celebrated by World Trade Centers across the globe to signify the importance of international trade for regional economic development. The first World Trade Day in Odisha has rightly focused on India-ASEAN economic co-operation given that the year 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership.”

Ms. Rupa Naik, Director [Projects], World Trade Centre Mumbai, proposed the vote of thanks to the dignitaries and the delegates. The event was presided over by Nimeshika and Bhanjo.