BHUBANESWAR: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has replaced Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as industry partner of Odisha Government for all investment promotion activities of the State. The FICCI will be official partner for all investment-related promotional activities in and outside the State besides the second edition of largest industry carnival Make-in-Odisha.
“CII was the official partner of State Government since 2015. We have disengaged the industry body by revoking the earlier agreement. An MoU has been signed with FICCI and now it will undertake all the investment promotional activities for the State,” a State Government official said on Saturday, adding a notification on disengagement of CII has been issued.
Odisha had a long association with the CII which had organised several roadshows and investors’ meets in and outside the country. The decision was taken after CII reportedly backed out from the upcoming Make-in-Odisha 2018 citing its participation in other international events. Peeved over the CII’s response, Chairman of CII (State Council) Arun Misra and Vice-Chairman Subrat Tripathy had also resigned from their posts.
It, however, took a political turn after BJD blamed Jagi Mangat Panda, wife of four-time MP Baijayant Panda, behind the CII’s decision to pull out from the conclave. Even as Jagi appealed the Government not to involve her in politics, a month after her joining as chairperson of CII’s eastern zone, the association had intimated its decision.
The CII authorities at Kolkata and Bhubaneswar claimed to be unaware about the latest development. “We have not yet received any communication from Odisha Government,” said a senior office-bearer of the industry body requesting anonymity.
Committees formed for Make-in-Odisha 2018
Four committees have been constituted for successful organisation of Make-in-Odisha 2018 scheduled from November 11 to 15 in the Capital. While the chairman of FICCI has been made a member of the oversight committee among others including Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, DGP, additional Chief Secretaries and Secretaries of various Departments, representatives of the apex industry association have been made members in other three committees.
As many as 27 events including business leadership summits, academic meets, TED talks, CSR conference, hackathon, golf tournament, heritage walk and marathon have been planned during the five-day mega carnival.
Odisha Government in collaboration with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Government of India is organising the conclave that had attracted investment intents worth around `3.64 lakh crore during its first edition in 2016.About 60 per cent of the investment intents received during the first conclave are at various stages of approval and implementation.