Pratik Jena, a 23-year-old dynamic budding entrepreneur of Baleswar, received the State-level Atmanirbhar Odisha, Business Leadership Award 2022 in the category of ‘Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ on Sunday in a function in Bhubaneswar.
Jena received the award from Minister of Industries, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Energy Pratap Keshari Deb.
Feeling encouraged with the award, Jena said, “We are contributing to the growth of foreign reserve of the country by exporting seafood of international standard. Our company, principally in a step towards empowering women, has engaged about 90 per cent women in its workforce. Further, we are involving farmers in the ecosystem for inclusive growth to make them financially-independent.”
Jena, managing director of Highland Agro, has created a niche for himself in the business of aquaculture and seafood processing and exports within a span of three years. He is son of former Baleswar MP RK Jena and working president State women wing of BJD Subasini Jena.
Notably, Pratik Jena has completed BSc and Business Management from a school in London.