Bhubaneswar: Under the able leadership and clear vision of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha Government has successfully organised the two-day Utkarsh Odisha–Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 here with receiving a record-breaking 593 investment intents worth Rs 16.73 lakh crore.
Thanks to the efforts of Team Odisha led by Additional Chief Secretary Industries and MSME, Hemant Sharma, who left no stone unturned for successful organisation of the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave.
ACS Shri Sharma, who has long experience in organising such mega events in the past government, is a known face in the industry and very personally knew several key Captains of Industry. Of course, he has got all support and guidance from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain.
Ahead of the business summit, the State had successfully organised roadshows in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Singapore, etc and ensured presence of a galaxy of investors across the country and also abroad.
The uniqueness of the first edition of this Conclave was participation of investors from different versatile sectors like renewable energy, textile, chemicals & petrochemicals, IT, EV, film & entertainment, waste management, paper & wood, etc. apart from the traditional minerals, metals and metal ancillary & downstream sector, Sharma said.
A huge number of investment intents were received in these sectors, of which many industries which have strong presence in other states, have attended the meet and submitted their proposals, he said.
This time, the state government has not blankly agreed to all proposals submitted by the industries, he said, adding, “The proposals were scrutinised and those proposals where we can handover the land in a year, were only approved. Besides, we also considered the proposals where we can also ensure raw material linkage to the industry.”
The other project proponents were asked to be in touch with the State government and come for further discussion in the next one or two months, he informed.
For the first time, such a large number of investor and business delegations from 16 countries have participated in the conclave and expressed their keenness to do business or trade in Odisha, the ACS Shri Sharma informed.
The countries like Singapore and Malaysia have expressed their interest to do business in the State, he said.
ACS Shri Sharma further said that the industrialisation would be spread to a larger geographical area apart from the established industrial belts. The proposed industries will come up in 25 out of 30 districts of the State, he stated.
Apart from the above, this edition of the Make in Odisha Conclave witnessed a huge participation of youths, students and women. This reflects that Odisha is now moving from its negative mindset on industrialisation to pro-industry approach.
A large number of business management students, skill institute students and women beneficiaries of different schemes attended in different sessions of the event. They had a very positive mindset and were enthusiastic towards doing business.
“Odisha doesn’t have a business mindset in its DNA. So, apart from attracting investors to the State, such a mega business summit will definitely create an industry-favourable atmosphere in the State. Maybe it will take a little more time, Odisha will also witness an industrial revolution,” said a senior scribe covering Industry and Finance Sector.
Besides, organising such events also changes the approach of the nation and world towards Odisha, which is being considered as a poor State by many till now, he said.