Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has pitched the state as a fulcrum of trade and commerce in the Bay of Bengal region, reaching out to ASEAN and the East Asia region.
Patnaik, who is currently on a week-long visit to Japan, is promoting the ‘Make In Odisha’ initiative, showcasing the state’s conducive business environment and investment potential in different sectors.
His visit follows Japanese interest in the big potential Northeast India which Tokyo envisions should connect with Bangladeshi ports as part of their growth strategy.
A delegation from Odisha, consisting of select industries in the steel, aluminum, textiles, food and sea-food processing, green hydrogen and green ammonia sectors is also accompanying the CM to explore opportunities for collaboration with Japanese business houses.
Odisha government – in association with the Embassy of India in Tokyo, Japan External Trade Organisation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) – hosted an ‘Odisha Business Meet Tokyo 2023′ on Wednesday where Patnaik spotlighted that the state has one of the fastest growing economies in India which has consistently grown above the national average in the last decade and a half. It was followed by an investors’ summit.
Odisha Business Meet in Tokyo
Hon’ble CM Shri Naveen Patnaik @Naveen_Odisha addressed leading business community of Japan, underlining investment opportunities in Odisha. He highlighted the State’s abundant natural resources, robust industry and skilled human resources. pic.twitter.com/SBRZZf29ap
— India in Japanインド大使館 (@IndianEmbTokyo) April 5, 2023
The events were attended by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Executive Vice President Kazuya Nakajo, Nippon Steel President Eiji Hashimoto, several top industrialists of Japan besides senior officers of the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) and FICCI.
Patnaik stated that Odisha is fast emerging as a major industrial destination because of its natural resource advantage and strategic location.
Addressing the #OdishaInvestorsMeet in Tokyo, CM @Naveen_Odisha highlighted #Odisha‘s strong cultural connection with Japan. CM invited Japanese investors to explore immense #InvestInOdisha opportunities the state offers and highlighted its progressive policies. #OdishaInJapan pic.twitter.com/Dp4LQrgH46
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) April 5, 2023
“Abundant natural resources, skilled and productive human resources, progressive policies and strong result-oriented governance provide a unique ecosystem,” said the CM.
The meet ended on a successful note with Odisha receiving investment intents of over Rs 25,000 crore in sectors like logistics, metal ancillary, steel, metal downstream, green hydrogen and green ammonia, green energy equipment manufacturing and IT/ITeS.
The Govt of #Odisha in association with the Indian Embassy in #Japan, the Japan External Trade Org & #FICCI hosted the Odisha Business Meet Tokyo 2023 on 5th April 2023. Odisha has received investment intents of over Rs 25,000 Crores (USD 3.04 Billion) in various sectors. pic.twitter.com/Qkeb6MyDNW
— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) April 5, 2023
Later, the CM and Hashimoto discussed the company’s plan to build one of the world’s largest steel plants in Odisha along with Arcelor Mittal. The 30 MT proposed mega plant will produce specialty steel and also give a huge boost to the socio-economic development of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendujhar by generating thousands of jobs for youths of the states.
Nippon Steel Corporation president Mr Eiji Hashimoto meets Odisha Chief Minister Sri Naveen Patnaik in Tokyo. CM Sri Naveen Patnaik is on a tour to Japan with a high-level delegation to promote investment opportunities in Odisha. pic.twitter.com/zEbCEuTGtA
— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) April 4, 2023
On Thursday, Patnaik visited the Kimitsu Steel Works factory of Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC) and highlighted the immense potential for collaboration with Odisha, given the state’s rich mineral resources and potential in the steel sector.
CM @Naveen_Odisha visited the Kimitsu Steel Works of Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC). Speaking on the occasion, CM expressed his admiration for the state-of-the-art facility and the commitment of NSC towards excellence in steel production. #OdishaInJapan pic.twitter.com/iwgpqcCGxZ
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) April 6, 2023
The mega steel plant in Odisha will not only bring a new wave of economic development and employment generation in Odisha but also boost Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Purvodaya for driving the growth of eastern India.
The proposed plant is a culmination of the Indian government’s efforts towards bringing in investors for wealth creation and employment generation through supportive policy reforms such as the National Steel Policy as well as facilitative infrastructure.
The Ministry of Steel has maintained that the ArcelorMittal-Nippon mega steel plant in Kendrapada will benefit from massive infrastructure developments in the region over the past six years such as the expansion of Paradip port and setting up of Mahanadi riverine port, key freight and passenger rail corridors such as the Paradip-Haridaspur new line and fast-track construction of highways.
Also Read: India and Japan set to advance Special Strategic Global Partnership as Kishida arrives in New Delhi
