During a business meeting in Tokyo, chief minister Naveen Patnaik underlined how the state is evolving into the hub of trade and commerce in the Bay of Bengal area and the state got investment intents of Rs 26,000 crore.
Showcasing the measures taken by the state government to support industries looking to cater to the untapped markets in eastern and northeastern India, as well as markets in ASEAN and East Asia regions, Naveen said, “As we enter a new era of industrialisation propelled by advancements in technology and a philosophy of sustainability, we require a collaborative effort between the governments, industries and people to ensure consistent growth.”
The meeting was attended by more than 200 business executives from the Indo-Pacific area. According to the CM, Odisha, which is renowned for its rich culture and heritage, is evolving into a contemporary industrial centre.
“While my government is focused on providing the best-in-class facilitation to all investors coming to Odisha, we are also deeply committed to protecting our rich cultural history,” he said.Speaking to a country where Buddhism is a significant religion, the CM noted that his administration’s top priority has been to renovate and restore Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
I am happy to say that we are transforming sites like Dhauli, Udaygiri, Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri. I request all my Japanese friends to visit Odisha and experience the change. Come, Invest in Odisha, Invest in the future. Come, Join the Juggernaut,” he said.
Naveen said Odisha is one of the fastest growing economies in India and is fast emerging as a major industrial destination in India because of its natural resources and strategic location. “Odisha’s abundant natural resources, skilled and productive human resource, progressive policies and strong result-oriented governance provide a unique ecosystem,” he told the potential investors.
Hemant Sharma, the industry secretary, said the investment offers came from industries like logistics, steel, downstream metal, green hydrogen and green ammonia, green energy equipment manufacture, IT and IT-enabled services, and green energy.
The strategic location and natural resource advantage of Odisha were also cited by Kazuya Nakajo, executive vice-president of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), as reasons why it is a desirable investment location for Japanese investors.
Prasanta Patnaik