THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
MUMBAI,
OCTOBER 21, 2026
Chief Minister Mohan
Charan Majhi will lead Odisha’s investment outreach at India Chem 2026 in
Mumbai on October 22, seeking to attract fresh investments in the chemical and
petrochemical sectors and position the state as a major destination for
high-value manufacturing.
Majhi, during his
two-day visit to Mumbai, will attend the inaugural session of the event and
participate in a CEO Roundtable chaired by Union Minister for Chemicals and
Fertilizers J P Nadda. He is also scheduled to hold one-to-one discussions with
representatives of more than 20 major companies to explore investment
opportunities, industrial expansion, downstream manufacturing and the
establishment of new industrial ventures in Odisha.
The state will
showcase its resource base, industrial infrastructure, investment-ready
facilities and progressive policy framework to attract domestic and
international investors. A presentation on coal gasification, an emerging
industrial opportunity for Odisha, will be among the key highlights of the
state's participation.
Odisha may also
announce plans to establish a dedicated, large-scale chemical industrial park
to strengthen its manufacturing ecosystem and attract investments across
chemicals, petrochemicals, plastics and packaging, officials said.
The proposed park is
expected to provide an integrated industrial ecosystem for manufacturing units
and ancillary industries, promote value addition and create new employment
opportunities as the state seeks to diversify beyond its traditional strengths
in mining and metallurgy.
The state will
participate alongside Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu at the
event, which is expected to provide a platform for states to showcase their
capabilities and compete for investments in India's expanding chemical and
petrochemical industries.
While Maharashtra and
Gujarat have developed established chemical and petrochemical hubs over several
decades, Odisha is seeking to leverage its mineral resources, industrial
infrastructure and policy support to emerge as a competitive destination for
the sector.
The chemical and
petrochemical industry is a priority area for the state as it seeks to
strengthen manufacturing value chains, encourage downstream industries and attract
investments in higher-value products.
Odisha has attracted
56 companies in the chemical and petrochemical sector over the last two years,
representing proposed investments of Rs 1,93,087.94 crore and an estimated
employment potential of 1,12,324 people, according to official figures.
Of these, 27 projects
have been grounded or inaugurated, involving investments of Rs 60,825.34 crore
and an employment potential of 35,351 people, reflecting the government's
efforts to translate investment commitments into industrial activity.
Hemant Sharma,
Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries, Home and Information and Public
Relations departments, said India Chem 2026 would provide Odisha an opportunity
to engage directly with leading companies, showcase investment opportunities
and explore partnerships for future growth.
"Odisha has a
strong industrial foundation, and we are now focused on expanding our presence
in high-potential sectors such as chemicals and petrochemicals. Our
participation at India Chem 2026 will provide an opportunity to engage directly
with leading companies, present the State's investment opportunities and
explore partnerships for future growth," Sharma said.
He said the state's
industrial infrastructure, resource advantages and progressive policies would
help build a competitive ecosystem for chemical and petrochemical industries,
while the proposed industrial park and focus on coal gasification could open
new avenues for investment, value addition and employment generation.
Highlighting the
sector's potential in Jajpur, Sharma said nine projects, comprising five
inaugurations and four groundbreaking ceremonies, involved investments of Rs
4,136 crore and were expected to generate employment for 1,508 people.
These projects, he
said, marked another step towards expanding manufacturing capabilities,
strengthening the state's industrial ecosystem and creating jobs.
The government's focused engagement with industry leaders at India Chem 2026 is aimed at generating fresh investor interest and converting investment proposals into projects on the ground.
With its established industrial base and renewed push towards downstream manufacturing, Odisha is seeking to strengthen its position in the national chemical and petrochemical landscape, while creating new opportunities for employment, industrial diversification and long-term economic growth.
