Odisha CM launches projects worth 2675 cr, to generate 8,187 jobs in the state

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched 19 industrial projects involving an investment of Rs 2,675 crore with a potential to generate 8,187 jobs in the state.

Patnaik conducted the ground breaking for as many as 12 projects and inaugurated seven manufacturing units through video-conferencing here as part of the second groundbreaking ceremony, pushing Odisha towards becoming the manufacturing hub of the East, said an official.

In the aftermath of the Make in Odisha Conclave 2016, the first groundbreaking ceremony was held in November, 2017 for 15 manufacturing units which grounded investments worth Rs 11,690 Crore with scope to generate 8,187 jobs, he said.

These projects demonstrate implementation of states vision to broad-base industrial development beyond the mineral-based industries. The projects are in diverse sectors including textiles & apparel, chemicals, fertilizers, cement, food-processing, downstream among others.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Chief Minister said, the Make in Odisha Conclave in 2016 was an important milestone in our journey towards industrial development and helped generate investment intents in diverse sectors, other than the traditional areas of mines, metals and energy.

"To ensure that the investments intents received during the conclave are converted quickly, my government has worked with a dedicated focus to ensure that all required support such as land, utilities and Departmental clearances are made available to them expeditiously," he said.

"I am also delighted to inform you that 2 of the projects for which groundbreaking took place on November 16, 2017 have been inaugurated today and will go into production in a little over 6 months. This underscores our position as the Number 1 state in India in terms of investment implementation rate, Patnaik said.

The logo for the Make in Odisha Conclave 2018 was also unveiled by the Chief Minister. The second edition of the biennial Make in Odisha Conclave 2018 has been scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 11 to15, 2018.

Prominent projects for which ground-breaking was held today include a unit of Emami Paper mills Ltd to be set up at an investment of Rs 650 crore at Balgopalpur Industrial Estate, Balasore with a potential to create 1,750 jobs, an official said.

Gruond-breaking was also conducted for a 0.77 MTPA steel making unit of Shyam Metalics & Energy Ltd to be set up at Rengali in Sambalpur at an invesement of Rs 870 crore with a potential to generate 1,373 jobs, he said.

Similarly, a 3.86 lakh TPA capacity cement plant of Toshali Cements set up at Choudwar in Cuttack with an investment of Rs 140 crore was inaugurated by the chief minister. It will generate 170 jobs.

With the objective of attracting 2.5 lakh crore of fresh investments and generating 30 lakh job opportunities as part of its Vision - 2025, Odisha Government is diversifying and broadening the states industrial development across the focus sectors, the official said.

Odishas investor-friendly policies and development of world-class infrastructure have received very positive feedback from investors across  the country as the State has been able to create an ideal business ecosystem for various sectors to flourish in the state. (PTI).