Bhubaneswar: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Industries, Home and I&PR, Shri Hemant Sharma has been a foundational architect in bridging economic, industrial, and diplomatic ties between Odisha and Japan. His strategic planning, presentation of the state’s industrial ecosystem, and persistent bureaucratic follow-ups have turned Japan into a primary partner country for Odisha’s mega-investment drives.
A primary milestone in his efforts occurred during the high-level Odisha Business Meet in Tokyo, where he delivered a comprehensive presentation to Japanese business leaders detailing the state’s stable governance, top-tier rankings in Ease of Doing Business, and competitive cost metrics. This specific outreach successfully yielded investment intentions of over 25,000 crore rupees across green hydrogen, logistics, and metal downstream sectors from major corporations like IHI Corporation and Krosaki Harima.
Most recently, his efforts culminated in securing a massive 67,000 crore rupee investment through a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Odisha Government, India’s ACME Group, and Japan’s IHI Corporation. Serving as the operational anchor for this deal, he has positioned Odisha as a premier green hydrogen and green ammonia hub for Japanese off-takers, establishing critical infrastructure like a green ammonia plant and a jetty-less floating terminal at Gopalpur.
Beyond purely financial investments, he has been a key driver in drafting and negotiating the framework for a formal Friendship Agreement between Odisha and Japan’s Tottori Prefecture. Working closely with the Consul General of Japan, ACS Shri Sharma has carved out pathways for reciprocal high-level delegation visits to institutionalize long-term ties.
In negotiations with Japanese agencies, he has advocated for a holistic partnership that goes beyond heavy industry. He has consistently highlighted opportunities in advanced manufacturing, Japanese language training programs, and the expansion of international tourism focused specifically on Odisha’s rich Buddhist circuit, which holds deep cultural value for Japanese visitors.
Recognizing Japan’s domestic labor demands, ACS Shri Sharma has actively worked to bring Japanese recruitment agencies to Odisha. This initiative creates structured, overseas job opportunities for skilled Odia youth in engineering, tech, and healthcare sectors, integrating the state’s workforce directly with Japanese industrial needs.
Through these targeted industrial seminars, personalized government-to-business meetings, and institutional policy frameworks, ACS Shri Sharma has effectively translated Odisha’s geographic and resource advantages into a highly trusted investment ecosystem for Japan.