The Odisha investors’ meet organised on Sunday as a part of Make in India week in Mumbai generated positive response with companies of national and international repute evincing interest in investment opportunities in the State.
Official sources maintained that the State was able to get assurances of investment of Rs 56,400 crore in the meet addressed by Chief Minister Shri.Naveen Patnaik. Naveen discussed business opportunities in Odisha with investors from China, Japan and Italy.
The proposals include an aluminium refinery by Larsen and Toubro, expansion by Nalco in Odisha, investment in food processing and hospitality sector by ITC, expansion of power plant by GMR group and petrochemical downstream projects of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
Besides, the state has received firm commitments from leading and national and international players in electronics manufacturing, food processing and renewable energy sectors.
Adani Group has also committed expansion of Dhamra port to 100 million ton capacity including establishment of a container terminal.
Sources said delegation of Volkswagen, which met the Chief Minister, is likely to visit Odisha soon to explore investment opportunities. Siemens along with the Tata Group has proposed to develop Bhubaneswar as a smart city.
Sanmina Corporation, a global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider headquartered in San Jose, California has shown interest to explore setting up a Rs 1000-crore electronics manufacturing facility in Odisha. An Indonesia based company has shown interest to set up solar panel manufacturing plant in Bhubaneswar.
Besides, Nestle has shown interest to enter food processing industry in Odisha while Ruchi Soya is likely to set up two food processing units with an investment of Rs 250 crore.
Addressing the meet, the Chief Minister said the State Government is finalising a new start up policy with a very attractive incentive framework recognising the importance of the new economy industries. The Chief Minister dedicated the Bhubaneswar Start-up Hub, a 4.5 lakh square feet ready to move facility. The start-up eco-system will be mentored and guided by ‘TiE Silicon Valley’ with which the State Government has a strategic partnership, the first of its kind in the country.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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