Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed his appreciation for the initial suggestions put forward by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) and is optimistic that their collaboration will lead to a well-balanced industrial growth, benefiting all citizens inclusively. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) issued a press release confirming this positive development.
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, visited Bhubaneswar on Wednesday to meet with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and discuss strategies to bolster the economic growth of the state.
In a significant move, the Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change on July 21. As per the agreement, the TBI will offer complimentary policy support and assistance in formulating a comprehensive economic strategy for the state.
The preliminary suggestions offered by TBI have been well-received by Chief Minister Patnaik, who believes that this cooperation will not only foster a balanced industrial growth but also lead to inclusive benefits for the citizens of the state, as mentioned in the CMO’s press release. He also extended his gratitude to Tony Blair for the support provided during their discussions, and the former UK Prime Minister, in turn, praised Patnaik for the state’s achievements across various sectors.
The partnership between the Odisha government and TBI is expected to span over 24 months. During this period, the project team will work closely with TBI’s leadership and a network of global experts. Their efforts will be closely coordinated with the Odisha government.
The project team’s responsibilities will encompass a wide range of activities, including conducting a thorough analysis of the current state, benchmarking against external models, designing a roadmap, developing capacities, prioritizing emerging industries, and formulating multi-modal transport logistics.
TBI is well-versed in multiple domains of expertise, ranging from governance, foreign policy, investments, infrastructure, and cities, to climate and energy, and human capital. Their knowledge and experience in these areas will prove invaluable in shaping Odisha’s economic strategy and facilitating its growth.
Prasanta Patnaik