Odisha secures landmark investment proposals of over Rs 16 lakh crore in Utkarsh Odisha Conclave

Odisha has attracted investment intents totalling Rs 16.73 lakh crore, expected to create 12.88 lakh job opportunities in the Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. This significant investment boost is backed by as many as 145 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the two-day-long Conclave. 

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi unveiled plans to establish an industrial park dedicated to women, with investments channelled towards sectors such as energy, food processing, textiles and tourism.

“Odisha has received investment proposals amounting to a total of Rs 16.73 lakh crore for 593 projects. It will create 12.88 lakh job opportunities,” said CM Majhi.

The conclave saw interest in areas including green Hydrogen, solar energy, agro-industries and the health sector. Renowned companies have inked agreements in these sectors, positioning Odisha as their next investment hub.

CM Majhi emphasised the State’s initiatives for women’s empowerment via the Subhadra scheme, aimed at fostering self-reliance among small businesses. The scheme formed a central topic in dedicated discussions. In collaboration with the World Skill Centre and IIM Sambalpur, a skill development agreement has been forged to train beneficiaries under the Subhadra scheme.

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“It is a great initiative to make Odisha enriched. MOUs have been signed for setting up industries in some districts where there were no industries earlier. It is one of the important developments for the State,” said Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain.

“More than 130 investments could be grounded and those have been converted to MOUs,” said Industries Department Secretary Hemant Sharma.

The tourism industry received investment proposals worth Rs 8,000 crore, focusing on resorts, hotels, water sports, and adventure activities.

Tata Steel Special Economic Zone (SEZ) proposed investments of Rs 30,000 crore for the Gopalpur Industrial Park, expected to create employment opportunities for approximately 8,800 individuals.

“I think the government has been successful in organising the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave in a great way. We have got the intent of eight to ten interested investors for Gopalpur Industrial Park on behalf of Tata Steel SEZ in the conclave,” said Tata Steel SEZ Managing Director Manikanta Naik.

The conclave also put a spotlight on the State’s handicrafts and weaving industries, with investment potentials amounting to Rs 7,762 crore, offering job opportunities for nearly 8,800 people.

“Many new investors have come beyond our expectations. We are hopeful that Odisha could get Rs 1,000 to 1,400 crore more in the textile sector,” said Handloom and Textiles Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta.

At a media roundtable, chief editors and senior journalists from print and electronic media deliberated on the opportunities and challenges facing Odisha’s industrial growth, sharing insights on Utkarsh Odisha’s vision for a prosperous and empowered state.