Bhubaneswar: Strengthening business and startup linkages between Odisha and Japan, a delegation from Tottori Prefecture visited Startup Odisha at O-Hub in Bhubaneswar on November 10 to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration, institutional partnerships and business expansion.
A key outcome of the engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Odisha-based startup Sustainability Leaders Odisha Pvt. Ltd. and Tottori-based business organisation ONESTRUCTION Inc. The agreement marks a step towards translating earlier discussions into concrete business partnerships between enterprises from the two regions.
The MoU follows initial interactions during the Tottori delegation’s visit to Odisha on July 30, 2026, and subsequent follow-up engagements.
The Japanese delegation comprised Toru Sasaki, Director General, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Tottori Prefectural Government; Yoshioka, Director, San-in Godo Bank Co. Ltd.; and Kazuhiko Ikeda, President, Tottori Prefectural Industrial Promotion Organization, along with representatives of Japanese companies.
Gokulananda Mallik, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of promoting entrepreneurship and expanding business opportunities through international cooperation.
Rashmita Panda, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the MSME Department and Chairperson of Startup Odisha, reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening the startup ecosystem, encouraging innovation and facilitating international partnerships.
The programme began with a welcome address by Startup Odisha CEO Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, followed by addresses by members of the Japanese delegation. A video presentation showcased Odisha’s startup ecosystem, institutional support mechanisms and initiatives to promote entrepreneurship.
The visiting delegates also toured the Startup Showcase Stall, where they viewed innovative products, technologies and solutions developed by Odisha-based enterprises. Local startups presented their ventures and explored possible areas of collaboration with Japanese companies.
Business-to-Business (B2B) interactions formed another key part of the programme, bringing together entrepreneurs and industry representatives from both regions. Discussions covered potential partnerships, market opportunities and business prospects in agriculture, construction, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, sustainability and healthcare.
The engagement is expected to strengthen international linkages for Odisha’s startups by creating opportunities for business networking, institutional cooperation and access to overseas markets. Startup Odisha aims to facilitate sustained engagement between the two regions and provide greater global exposure to emerging enterprises from the state.
