Bhubaneswar, Feb 18 (IANS): As many as 7,009 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have started production in Odisha with an investment of Rs.669.44 crore during 2013-14, said the Odisha Economic Survey report for 2014-15.

With the operation of the MSME units, the total units set up in the state is now 1,30, 301 which have invested Rs.5,639 crore creating employment opportunities for 738,478 persons in the state, said the report that was tabled in the assembly recently.

While Sundergarh district has maximum number of 720 units set up during the period under review with an investment of Rs.84.53 crore, Khurda district has 521 units and Cuttack has 474 units.

Maoist dominated Malkangiri district ranks last with only 31 units going into production in 2013-14.

However, the industrial sickness among the MSMEs remains a major problem.

According to MSME official sources, about 15, 315 MSME units have shut down their operation by 2013-14 while 24,481 units remain sick following stiff competition from the large industries, obsolete technology, and lack of credit flow and absence of market linkages.

About 1.29 lakh people engaged in the units have lost their jobs due to shutdown and sickness of the industrial units in the state.