Bhubaneswar, Nov 10 (UDN): Odisha is exploring new avenues of international business cooperation with Japan’s Tottori Prefecture, with a focus on strengthening startup ecosystems, encouraging entrepreneurship and creating cross-border business opportunities.
A delegation from Tottori Prefecture visited Startup Odisha at O-Hub in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to explore potential partnerships between enterprises from the two regions across sectors such as agriculture, construction, artificial intelligence (AI), manufacturing, sustainability and healthcare.
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 aims to promote business collaboration between enterprises in Odisha and Japan.
The MoU follows initial discussions during the Tottori delegation’s visit to Odisha on July 30, 2026, and subsequent follow-up engagements, signalling progress towards converting the discussions into concrete business partnerships.
Japanese delegation explores Odisha’s startup ecosystem
The visiting delegation included 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 the Tottori Prefectural Industrial Promotion Organization, along with representatives of Japanese companies.
Gokulananda Mallik, Odisha Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, addressed the gathering and underscored the role of international cooperation in promoting entrepreneurship and expanding business opportunities.
Rashmita Panda, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the MSME Department and Chairperson of Startup Odisha, highlighted the state government’s efforts to strengthen the startup ecosystem, encourage innovation and build international partnerships.
The programme opened with a welcome address by Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer of Startup Odisha, followed by remarks from members of the Japanese delegation.
Startups showcase innovations, explore business opportunities
During the visit, the delegates toured the Startup Showcase Stall, where they were introduced to innovative products, technologies and entrepreneurial initiatives developed by Odisha-based startups.
A video presentation offered an overview of Startup Odisha’s initiatives, institutional support systems and measures to promote innovation and startup growth.
Local startups also presented their ventures, products and solutions to the Japanese representatives, highlighting potential areas for cooperation with companies from Tottori Prefecture.
The programme featured Business-to-Business (B2B) interactions between Odisha-based startups and Japanese companies. Discussions centred on networking, exchange of ideas, prospective partnerships, market opportunities and areas of mutual business interest.
The engagement is expected to open up new avenues for international collaboration, strengthen institutional ties and provide Odisha’s emerging enterprises with greater access to Japanese business networks and global markets.