

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Friday signed a transaction advisory services agreement (TASA) with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to mobilise finances for infrastructure projects under PPP mode.
Official sources said the joint collaboration aims at mobilising private investment in major infrastructure projects of the state by building a pipeline of doable PPP projects. As per the agreement, within a period of one year, the IFC will identify at least 20 projects with a cumulative cost of two billion US dollars across priority sectors like renewable energy, transmission, logistics and transport, urban infrastructure and e-mobility.
Speaking at a function in this regard at the Lok Seva Bhawan here, chief secretary Anu Garg said mobilisation of private capital investment is critical to recognition of Odisha at the national and global level in line with Viksit Odisha 2036 goals. She stressed the role of IFC, the private financing arm of the World Bank group, as the knowledge partner for strengthening the PPP ecosystem of the state.
Regional head of operations and acting regional director (South Asia), IFC, Shalabh Tandon said the engagement with government of Odisha is a high priority. Additional chief secretary of the Energy department Vishal Dev, principal secretary Finance department Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra and senior officials were present.