Kolkata, West Bengal – In a major move to transform Odisha into a premier industrial hub of Eastern India, the state government successfully concluded a high-profile Investors’ Meet in Kolkata, securing investment commitments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore.
While Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi led the high-profile roadshow, the structural foundation of this success is widely attributed to Shri Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for Industries, Home, and Information & Public Relations.
This capital influx is projected to generate more than 90,000 employment opportunities, marking a significant milestone for the Mohan Charan Majhi Administration.
The meet saw the signing of 27 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹81,864 crore with a potential to create 63,161 jobs. Additionally, 19 Investment Intent Proposals (IIPs) valued at ₹18,453 crore were received, adding another 27,591 jobs to the tally. These results underscore the effectiveness of the state’s aggressive outreach strategy designed to position Odisha as a stable and lucrative alternative for regional investors.
At the center of this industrial resurgence is Shri Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for Industries, Home, and Information & Public Relations. Recognized as the primary architect behind Odisha’s modern investment strategy, Shri Sharma has been instrumental in formulating policies that have turned the state into a global investment magnet. His focus on “grounding” investments—ensuring paper proposals translate into physical industrial units—has redefined the state’s approach. By leveraging digital platforms like GO-SWIFT and creating a ready-to-use land bank, ACS Shri Sharma has streamlined the entry process for large-scale enterprises.
The roadshow in Kolkata, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), tapped into a growing sentiment among West Bengal-based industrialists. Many investors expressed an eagerness to move capital into Odisha, citing the state’s conducive political atmosphere and proactive administrative support as key differentiators.
The sectoral diversity of the new commitments is broad, covering metal downstream, chemicals, plastics, textiles, and green energy. Chief Minister Majhi emphasized that Odisha is no longer just a resource-based economy but is rapidly evolving into a value-added manufacturing hub. Under the strategic guidance of Shri Sharma, the state is now focusing on “Purvodaya,” a vision to co-anchor the next phase of growth in Eastern India with a target of commissioning ₹5 lakh crore of projects by 2029.
With these successful engagements, the Odisha government is now preparing for the upcoming Utkarsh Odisha Summit, aiming to further cement its status as the most investor-friendly state in the country.