Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards industrial development, the Odisha government inked 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with various corporate houses during the first day of the 24th edition of Enterprise Odisha in Jharsuguda. The industrial projects associated with these MoUs are collectively valued at Rs 23,389.43 crore.
The MoUs were signed as part of the collaborative efforts between the state government and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) during the three-day business summit. The projects’ successful implementation is expected to create job opportunities for 15,168 individuals, as per official statements.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, addressing the inaugural ceremony through a video message, emphasized the government’s commitment to extending industrial development to every corner of the state. He acknowledged the crucial role played by western Odisha towns such as Jharsuguda, Rourkela, and Sambalpur in contributing significantly not only to the state’s development but also on a national scale.
Asit Tripathy, Chairperson of the Western Odisha Development Council, highlighted Jharsuguda’s potential for rapid advancement and its future prominence on Odisha’s industrial landscape.
Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena stated that Odisha, being a revenue surplus state, is investing around 6.5% of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in infrastructure. The state aims to grow at 7.5-8% in the coming years, establishing itself as a manufacturing powerhouse.
Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Industries department, elaborated on the state’s policies designed to attract investments. He emphasized the Biju Economic Corridor’s role in connecting western Odisha with the southern districts, presenting substantial opportunities for entrepreneurs.
The Enterprise Odisha summit in Jharsuguda witnessed participation from 58 corporate houses, 150 exhibitors, 54 industry partners, several industry associations, and around 1,000 business delegates. The state government anticipates a potential increase in investment proposals as the summit progresses, with various government-to-business (G2B) and business-to-business (B2B) meetings scheduled for the concluding day.