THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 12, 2026

Emphasising that sustainable economic growth requires strong partnerships between government and industry, Odisha’s Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain on Thursday said that deeper collaboration between large enterprises and MSMEs will be crucial to accelerate industrial development and ensure inclusive growth in Odisha.

He stressed the importance of balancing economic ambition with social responsibility so that development benefits all sections of society. The minister also highlighted the state government’s continued engagement with stakeholders in sectors such as textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, logistics and advanced manufacturing to build specialised industrial ecosystems and attract greater investment into Odisha.

The remarks came during a session titled “Odisha Leading: Partnerships for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Odisha during its annual meeting. The session underscored the critical role of collaboration between government, industry and institutions in strengthening innovation ecosystems and accelerating the state’s industrial transformation.

The minister further underlined the government’s focus on promoting the industrial park model and developing regional industrial corridors across Odisha to support the next phase of industrial expansion. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing women’s participation in the industrial workforce while prioritising skill development initiatives aimed at creating a future-ready talent pool for the state’s rapidly evolving industries.

Earlier, welcoming the participants, Anil Kumar Singh, Chairman, CII Odisha State Council, highlighted Odisha’s impressive industrial growth and diversification into emerging sectors such as electronics, information technology, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. He emphasised that sustained collaboration between government, industry and institutions has played a key role in shaping the state’s economic trajectory.

Singh also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by CII Odisha in policy advocacy, investment promotion and capacity-building, noting that industry associations can play a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue and partnerships that drive economic progress.

Addressing the gathering, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg stressed the need to further strengthen infrastructure and skill development to support the state’s ongoing economic transformation. She highlighted the importance of expanding ports, airports and road connectivity while referring to the proposed Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Paradeep-Puri Economic Corridor, which is expected to significantly boost regional economic integration.

She noted that Odisha’s GDP has crossed ₹10 lakh crore, reflecting the state’s strong growth momentum, and pointed out that NITI Aayog has recognised Odisha as the top performer in the Fiscal Health Index. Garg also drew attention to emerging opportunities in sectors such as real estate, tourism and the Odisha AI Mission, encouraging investors with the message: “Think India, Think Odisha.”

Providing a broader perspective on the state’s long-term industrial vision, Development Commissioner Hemant Sharma outlined Odisha’s industrial roadmap aligned with Vision 2036 and Vision 2047. He noted that manufacturing currently contributes around 47 per cent to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), while agriculture accounts for about 20 per cent.

Sharma highlighted Odisha’s strong resource base, pointing out that the state is among the country’s leading producers of iron ore, coal, steel and bauxite. He said this natural advantage creates significant opportunities for downstream industries and value-added manufacturing.

Looking ahead, he observed that Odisha would require nearly ₹30 lakh crore in investments over the next 15 to 20 years to sustain its development trajectory. Priority sectors for investment, he said, include metal downstream industries, chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles, as well as emerging areas such as shipbuilding, aerospace and defence manufacturing.

Also addressing the gathering, Mehul Mohanka, Deputy Chairman, CII Eastern Region, praised Odisha’s remarkable progress in economic transformation and governance. He attributed the state’s achievements to strong collaboration among government, industry, academia and local communities.

Mohanka noted that Odisha’s development model successfully balances industrial expansion with social inclusion and sustainability, positioning the state as an attractive destination for investment and innovation.

During the event, the CII Industry Carnival 2025 Awards were presented to recognise outstanding achievements and innovations by industries across the state, celebrating excellence in business performance, technology adoption and sustainable practices.

The programme concluded with closing remarks by Manikanta Naik, Vice Chairman of the CII Odisha State Council, who reaffirmed CII’s commitment to working closely with the Government of Odisha and industry stakeholders to drive sustainable industrial growth and economic prosperity in the state.

The annual meeting also featured a special interactive session titled “Future Ready Odisha – Interaction with Young Minds.” Moderated by C Chandru, CEO, Vedanta Ltd, the session brought together young entrepreneurs who shared their experiences on startup growth, innovation, mentorship and access to capital.

Among those who participated were Swayam Baral, Managing Director, Swadesh Infra Pvt Ltd, and Vibhor Sharma of Sreechem Resins, who highlighted the opportunities and challenges faced by emerging businesses while underscoring the importance of mentorship and supportive policy ecosystems for startups.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials, industry leaders, startups and members of the business community, reflecting the growing momentum of collaboration between government and industry to shape Odisha’s future as a leading industrial and investment destination.