Odisha to bring in special start-ups policy soon

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has decided to bring in a special policy to encourage and facilitate investments in start-ups in the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told a delagtion from US-based TiE Silicon Valley during a meeting at the State Secretariat today.

Patnaik also said Odisha is aiming to become the top three destinations for start-ups in India in the coming two years. The meeting discussed investment opportunities available in small, medium and large industries in the State.

According to sources, the Odisha government is expected to come out with a start-up policy within the next 2-3 months. An agreement is scheduled to be signed between IPICOL and TiE Silicon Valley to boost investments in start-ups in Odisha.

“I am happy to note that IPICOL & TIE SILICON Valley have a one-of-its-kind agreement to foster the growth of start-ups in the state,” tweeted CM Naveen Patnaik today.

Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi told media persons, “The State government will prepare a start up policy and TiE Silicon will help regarding this. We expect the start up policy will be implemented in the coming two to three months."

The State’s IT Secretary Pradip Jena said, “The policy aims at promotion of business mindsets in technology and IT sectors among Odia people.”

After the signing of MoU with IPICOL officials, TiE Silicon Valley founder member Nitin Mehta said, “Ease of doing business in the state, more availability of broadband and wifi and role of educational institutions were discussed. We would encourage youths of the State to take major risks.”

Expressing similar views Rajeev Sahu, president, TiE local chapter, said, “Odisha will get a special position on the global map with this policy.”

A 13-member delegation of the TiE Silicon Valley is on a two-day visit to the State as part of the Start-up India initiative, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

The secretaries of the various departments of the State government were also present when the delegation met the CM and the Chief Secretary today.