Bhubaneswar: In a major step toward realizing the vision of a developed Odisha, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi met with World Bank Group President Shri Ajay Banga in Bhubaneswar to strengthen a strategic partnership focused on reform-led and future-ready growth. The meeting served as a platform to align the state’s development goals with international expertise, emphasizing a shared commitment to the Odisha Vision 2036 and the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.
During the interaction, Shri Banga expressed high regard for the development efforts and reform orientation of the state. He specifically congratulated the state leadership for its aggressive focus on skill building, which is designed to unlock high-quality private sector jobs for the youth. The President of the World Bank Group noted that Odisha has become a national leader in attracting industrial interest, currently ranking second in the country for investments according to December 2025 data from the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy.
The discussions highlighted how business-friendly reforms are driving investor confidence across the region. The state is currently accelerating an inclusive and sustainable development agenda that prioritizes modern infrastructure, social sector improvements, and technology-driven resilience. A central theme of the visit was the transformation of the technical education landscape.
Earlier Shri Banga toured the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar, citing it as a premier model that the World Bank intends to build upon. This initiative falls under a massive 4 billion dollar national ITI upgradation program aimed at modernizing industrial training across India.
Accompanying the high-level delegation were Chief Secretary Shrimati Anu Garg, Principal Secretary of Finance Shri Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, and Secretary of Skill Development and Technical Education Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia. These officials, alongside the Director of CTTC, showcased how the state is integrating industry requirements with vocational training to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals for global markets.
The World Bank reaffirmed its continued support for Odisha through a combination of technical assistance, policy advisory services, and financial cooperation. By focusing on value-added manufacturing and tech-driven solutions, the partnership aims to ensure that Odisha’s growth remains resilient and beneficial to all sections of society. This visit marks a significant milestone in positioning Odisha as a hub for industrial excellence and a key contributor to the national economy.