Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday organized an investment promotion roadshow in Ahmadabad to showcase the advantages of investing in the state, while also inviting Gujarat-based industrialists to participate in Make in Odisha Conclave 2018.
The flagship biennial investors' summit of Odisha is scheduled to be organized in Bhubaneswar from November 11-15 this year.
The roadshow witnessed encouraging response with over 100 leading Gujarat-based industrialists, exploring opportunities in Odisha's focus sectors.
A panel discussion on competitive advantages of Odisha as an investment destination was also organized.
Odisha Finance Minister Shashi Bhushan Behera said that "owing to the proactive and progressive governance, Odisha is fast emerging as the manufacturing hub of eastern India".
"With the objective of attracting 2.5 lakh crore of fresh investments and generating 30 lakh job opportunities as part of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's Vision-2025, the state government is working tirelessly towards diversifying and broadening the state's industrial development across focus sectors.
"We invite Gujarati industrialists and entrepreneurs to explore growth opportunities in Odisha and invest in the state," he added.
During the meetings, investors were informed about the key differentiating factors that make Odisha a unique destination for investment - a stable government for more than 17 years, 480 km coastline with deep water ports at Paradip and Dhamra, with combined capacities expected to reach over 400 MMTPA by 2020, and and the state being India's largest producer of steel, stainless steel and aluminium.
State Industries Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said Odisha's business-friendly policies and the development of world-class infrastructure have received very positive feedback from investors across the country.
"Over the last 3 years, the state government has embarked upon the implementation of a Business Reforms Program to make it easier for companies to set up and operate in the state following which Odisha has been recognized as a 'Leader' in terms of implementation of business reforms with 92.73 per cent score in the Ease of Doing Business Report of 2016," said Chopra.
The state government is also giving early bird discount on the land cost for units in Angul Aluminium Park, he added.
The state also plans to reach out to potential investors with roadshows in Germany, US, China, Japan and South Korea, as well as several Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Vizag and Coimbatore, ahead of the biennial conclave.