New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday said his government has attracted investment worth over Rs 1 lakh crore across multiple sectors amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He also highlighted how Odisha was fast emerging as the manufacturing hub of eastern India.
Addressing a session at the 93rd annual convention of FICCI, Patnaik said, “Even during the difficult Covid-19 pandemic time I am happy to inform you that Odisha has been able to attract new investments of over Rs 1 lakh crore across multiple sectors.”
Patnaik, however, stressed that the state government was focused on “grounding the projects” too. The state authorities have also created a land bank of over 1 lakh acre for industries, that is available on GIS mapping.
New industrial projects have been launched in the recent past, said the chief minister, across diverse sectors, including healthcare and renewable energy. Patnaik also said his government has always endeavored to create a holistic business environment for investors and ensured that service delivery was prompt.
“As part of my government’s initiative to reduce the regulatory burden on
industries, new end-to-end online systems for over 30 government to business
services have been developed by various departments of the state,” he added.
Also read: OTV owner Panda accuses Patnaik govt of vendetta over ‘false cases’, police deny witch-hunt
‘Goal of becoming a world-class industrial destination’
The chief minister also said that Odisha has developed a single window framework for hassle free facilitation services.
“Odisha is implementing path breaking technological reforms to reduce physical interface for availing services. My government’s transformational initiatives under ‘5T’ charter and ‘MO SARKAR’ have played a major role in creating a conducive business environment in the state by inculcating professionalism and behavioral change in the state government agencies,” said Patnaik.
Emphasising on the fact that continuous industry feedback was essential for overall growth, he requested FICCI to nominate dedicated sectoral teams to work with
the respective departments in his government, especially in areas such as food processing, tourism and the IT sector.
“Odisha and FICCI have been partners in progress. This partnership is multi-dimensional, spanning across investment promotion, policy advocacy, promoting entrepreneurship especially among women and start-ups,” he added.
The chief minister pointed out that the state government has been looking at specific sectors as its focus areas, including the ancillary and metal sectors.
“We are working towards further value addition in major industrial regions such as Angul and Jharsuguda for aluminium downstream and Kalingnagar for steel downstream. Further, Paradip is being developed as the hub of chemicals and petrochemical industries,” added Patnaik.
Developments such as these, said the chief minister, will help Odisha achieve its cherished goal of becoming a world-class industrial destination.
Also read: Odisha journalist ‘arrested’, channel owned by BJP leader Jay Panda’s wife blames CM Patnaik