Bhubaneswar: Odisha government will now organise the 2nd edition of the Make in Odisha conclave, its showcase business event, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).
Industries minister Ananta Das said on Friday: "Ficci will be our partner this time. We have entered into an understanding with it."
The Ficci is involved in the promotion of electricity, mining, tourism, MSME and manufacturing sectors in Odisha.
The state government was looking for a strong partner to organise the event aimed at attracting investments after the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) backed out of its commitment to support the business conclave that was last held in 2016.
The decision of the confederation pulling out of the conclave had sparked of political controversy.
The BJD had accused Jaggi Mangat Panda, the new chairperson of CII, eastern region, and the wife of BJD's suspended MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, of being behind the business body's move to pull out of the conclave.
However, Panda had dismissed the allegations.
In the run-up to the conclave, the state government will be organising road shows in Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia in the first week of July. State officials will also interact with entrepreneurs in these countries and invite them to attend the event.
Das said: "A delegation from the state will visit these countries and talk to the entrepreneurs there. Head of nine companies will be part of the delegation."
The road shows will be organised from July 1 to 9.
During this period, the visiting delegation will showcase the state's business ecosystem and specific investment opportunities.
General manager, Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha (Ipicol), Kalyan Mohanty said: "During the road shows, the delegation will hold one to one talks with the top-notch business establishments in the countries concerned. The road shows will give us the opportunity to showcase the business opportunities available in Odisha."
An official of the industry department said the road shows would focus on five sectors - food and allied industries, metal and downstream industries, chemical and petrochemicals, electronics and IT industries and apparel and textiles.
He said in the field of food and allied industries, Odisha would try to explain how its 10 agro-climatic zones helps cultivation of a wide range of agricultural products.
"We will also showcase how Odisha with its rich mineral resources is able to attract huge investments in the field of metal and metallurgical industries," said an official adding that it will try to project Odisha as a major industrial hub in the field of steel and alumina.
With Tata Steel's having a plant at Kalinga Nagar, Jindal Steel and Power Limited's plant at Angul, Rourkela Steel Plant, Vedanta's alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi and Nalco's unit at Angul, the state already has a major share in steel and alumina sectors.
Besides, with Paradip oil refinery, Odisha is also emerging as a major chemical hub. Similarly, with a number of IT companies, including the TCS, Infosys, Mind Tree and other computer giants the state is growing into a major IT hub. The state has also made an impact in the field of textile and apparel industries.
