Odisha CM proposes industrialists to plan long term strategy for investment

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday proposed the industrialists to plan a long-term strategy for investment in the state over the next 10 years.

“Dedicated teams will be appointed by my government to handhold the implementation of your long-term plans.  I assure you of unmatched facilitation support from my government,” said the Chief Minister at the plenary session of Make in Odisha Conclave here.

“I am delighted to welcome our friends, the captains of business and industry from across India and the globe, who have come all the way to Odisha and join us in Make in Odisha 2018.  We are also glad to have Japan, as our Country Partner, for this second edition of Make in Odisha. Odisha greets you all with an open heart and invites you to be partners in its growth story,” he said.

“With a view to giving further impetus to certain key manufacturing sectors, we have laid down the Odisha Industrial Development Plan: Vision 2025 with a target of attracting investment of Rs 2.50 lakh crore and creation of 30 lakh job opportunities in 6 identified focus sectors by 2025,” informed the Chief Minister.

“Targeting port-led development, we have been planning a chain of ports along the East Coast Economic Corridor.  Apart from Paradip and Dhamra, we are developing deep-water ports at Subarnarekha and Gopalpur, a riverine port on Mahanadi River and a chain of 12 other non-major ports,” he added.

“We have launched the Skilled-in-Odisha Mission to build an iconic global brand. I am glad to announce that we have built an excellent infrastructure an 18-storeyed World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar. Odisha Skill Development Authority shall manage the World Skill Centre with technical support from ITEES, Singapore,” said Patnaik.

This Centre will function as the centralized hub with all 71 Government ITIs as spokes for implementation of the Odisha Skill Development Project – an ambitious Rs 1400 crore project.  More than one lakh 50 thousand trainers and trainees will be trained in the next 4 years under this Project.

Chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said, “Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and relentless work done by this Government over last few years, Odisha has emerged as a preferred investment destination not only in India but also across the world. We have taken significant steps of reforming key investment policies stating the intent of the State Government to enhance growth in the state, encouraging innovation and sustainable development.”

“We have availability of raw materials, uninterrupted power supply, skilled workforce, among many other facilities and we invite you to explore these opportunities. We also thank Japan who joined us as a country partner and is willing to work towards the economic development of the state,” he added.

Industries secretary Sanjeev Chopra said, “We are proud of what Odisha has achieved over past few years in terms of development through our sustained efforts. Out top focus has been grounding of projects, ensuring industries or organizations who have given their consent or intent to invest in Odisha receive all the required support in terms of clearances and implementation.

Through our sustained efforts, 64 projects have seen groundbreaking or inaugurations in recent years. We have brought down the process time of single window clearance system to 20 days. We have also ventured into the development of sectors and entered uncharted territories leading to the holistic socio-economic development of the state.”

The conclave summit started with one of the key sessions ‘Business Leadership Summit’ where top executives shared their perspectives to inspire the next generation of promising leaders and entrepreneurs and shared their vision of doing business in Odisha.

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) said, “Reliance Jio is a committed partner in Make in Odisha vision and has already invested Rs 6,000 crores in Odisha. At this moment, I proudly announce an additional investment of Rs 3,000 crores in Odisha from Reliance Jio.”

“We are on a mission to transform Odisha and we have created employment opportunities for 30,000 people in the last 2 years in Odisha. Jio has helped connect 43,000 villages in Odisha to the domestic and global network. For most of these villages, Jio has provided not only their first phone, but first TV, first Camera, and first internet and brought AI in their lives, at an affordable pricing of INR 100 per month,” informed Ambani.

Sanjiv Puri, MD, ITC, said, “Investment friendly policies, good governance, robust infrastructure, mineral resources and agriculture resources and access to the market have made Odisha a complete investment destination. ITC is committed to working together with Odisha in the socioeconomic development of the state.”

A MoU was signed between ITEES Singapore & Odisha Skills Development Authority to build upon the existing partnerships between both entities for skills development.

The five-day event will conclude on Thursday, November 15.