“We are facing rapid growth in industries, food processing, chemicals, petrochemicals, renewable energy — all contributing to a future where Odisha leads the nation. This is the essence behind Utkarsh Odisha,” he said.
Speaking further on Odisha’s attractions as a state, Majhi stated that it has always pulled in people of all faiths and religions. “We are a land with a reach, maritime history that spans centuries. Our state has been at the crossroads of ancient trade routes. It has a glorious heritage and is well known to the global community for its handicrafts, temples and handlooms and reach by diversity,” he said.
The Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, scheduled from January 28-30, 2025, is the biennial global investors meet hosted by the Government of Odisha to showcase the existing and emerging opportunities for industrialisation in the state. This fourth edition of the state’s flagship event has been rebranded to reflect the new resolve of the new government to take Odisha to new heights of industrial growth and innovation. The conclave seeks to showcase Odisha as one of India’s leading investment destinations.
Majhi highlighted the focus on job creation, investor-friendly policies, and security for businesses, inviting global partnerships to the conclave to be held in 2025. “Our dream is to position Odisha as an industrial hub. It gives me great pleasure to stand before you to present the immense opportunities that Odisha offers for investment and growth. Odisha, India’s best kept secret, is now ready to be explored,” he said. The chief minister added that Odisha is poised to be at the forefront of a new journey of a developed India. “Invest in Odisha, invest in the future,” he stated.
Talking about Odisha’s economic prowess, Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary Industries, Government of Odisha, highlighted that the state holds tremendous potential in the kind of opportunities it has on offer. “Odisha, Telangana, Andhra, Chattisgarh, Bengal and North East all come under Eastern India and houses 50 crore of India’s population. This means that 1/3rd of India lives in this area. If you see for every product and service category, this is the fastest growing region, be it in auto, phone, garment or anything else. The CAGR of growth is highest in this region,” he said, while speaking in the capital at the curtain-raiser event for Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025. Sharma presented an overview of the Odisha industrial ecosystem, detailing the policies and skilled workforce that support sustainable growth, particularly for MSMEs in the state. Elaborating further on the range of advantages that Odisha can boast of, he said that the economic growth rate at 8.5% is higher than the national average. Sharma also alluded to the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Rankings achievements of the state. “Not only EODB but also the cost of doing business, cost of water and power is the lowest here in India. We are a power surplus state and give round the clock stable power at your doorstep. Odisha has also been a top achiever in EODB rankings all along,” he added.
Detailing the new emerging opportunities for Odisha, Sharma listed renewable energy and pharmaceuticals as key areas to look out for.
In the lead-up to the Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, the Government of Odisha is organising a series of pre-event roadshows across major Indian cities to build momentum and attract investments from key industrial hubs.
