UK Deputy High Commissioner discusses trade, investment opportunities with Odisha Deputy CM

Bhubaneswar: The United Kingdom and Odisha on Tuesday explored avenues to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and strategic sectors during a meeting between British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata Dr Andrew Fleming and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo at Lok Seva Bhavan.

The discussions focused on strengthening UK-Odisha partnerships in the backdrop of the recently concluded UK-India Free Trade Agreement. Both sides exchanged views on expanding collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, skill development, critical minerals and sports, while exploring new opportunities for bilateral investment and economic engagement.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr Fleming said this was his 18th visit to Odisha and lauded the state’s rich cultural heritage, rapid economic progress and growing investment potential. He expressed the UK’s continued interest in partnering with Odisha across multiple sectors.

Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo highlighted the state’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development under the Viksit Odisha vision and discussed ways to strengthen economic cooperation and people-to-people ties with the United Kingdom.

The meeting also underscored the importance of leveraging the UK-India Free Trade Agreement to attract greater investments, promote knowledge exchange and create long-term partnerships in emerging sectors.

Dr Fleming was accompanied by senior officials of the British Deputy High Commission, including Sandip Chaudhuri, Head of Investment (Eastern India), Department for Business and Trade, Kolkata, and Swarnamayee Satapathy, Assistant Communications, Events and Visits Officer.

Senior state government officials present during the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, and GRIDCO Managing Director Dr Satyapriya Rath.