BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday requested ambassadors to encourage companies and investors from their respective countries to explore Odisha as an investment destination and assured that the State is committed to ensure ‘investors delight’.
Addressing ambassadors, high commissioners and senior members of diplomatic corps at the ‘ambassadors meet’ organised by Ministry of External Affairs at New Delhi for the Make In Odisha conclave here from November 30 to December 2, the CM said Odisha has strived hard to create vital social, economic and industrial infrastructure.
Stating that Odisha is fast emerging as a manufacturing hub on the East Coast of India, the CM said integration of business approvals with eBiZ platform, GIS-based land information system and GO-iPLUS have been undertaken to provide hassle-free business environment.
Naveen said the World Bank in its Business Reforms Report, 2015 has recognised Odisha as an ‘aspiring leader’. Owing to a favourable business climate, Odisha secured investment commitment of about 11 billion dollars during ‘Make In India’ week held in February, 2016 in Mumbai and 13 billion dollars at the investors meet held in Bangalore in August, 2016.
The State has formulated Odisha Industrial Development Plan-Vision 2025 to sustain the high growth trajectory which envisages additional investment of over 35 billion dollars and creation of employment opportunities of three million, he said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Industries Minister Debi Prasad Mishra, Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority Subroto Bagchi, senior Central and State Government officials also addressed the meeting.
Representatives from 25 countries and the European Union attended the meet. The CM invited ambassadors, high commissioners and other senior members of the diplomatic corps along with their business delegations to participate in the ‘Make In Odisha’ conclave.
Official sources said there was encouraging response from the participating members, many of whom expressed their keen desire to attend the ‘Make In Odisha’ conclave.