Odisha emerging as investor’s top choice with ₹7 lakh crore inflows

Odisha has firmly positioned itself as a premier investment destination, with the state government approving projects worth over ₹7 lakh crore since June 2024, creating an estimated 4.5 lakh jobs, state Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education, said on Sunday.

Speaking at the curtain-raiser of the 25th CII ‘Enterprise Odisha’ event in Bhubaneswar, Swain credited the surge in investor interest to the state’s proactive governance, improved infrastructure, and industry-friendly policies. “Odisha is the first choice for investors,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to industrial growth and sustainable development.

The flagship event, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), will be hosted in Rourkela from January 16 to 28. During the Bhubaneswar ceremony, the official logo and promotional video for Enterprise Odisha were unveiled. “Both the CII and the Odisha government are working tirelessly to make this edition successful,” Swain added.

In addition to large-scale industrial projects, Odisha has introduced several investor- and startup-friendly policies under the BJP government to boost entrepreneurship and enterprise growth. The Startup Odisha policy provides founders a monthly allowance of ₹20–22K, incubation subsidies, and grants for product development and marketing, with extra support for women, SC/ST, and socially backward founders, alongside preference in government procurement.

The Odisha MSME Development Policy 2022 offers facilitation for approvals, district-level support, time-bound clearances, and online incentives to promote ease of doing business. Sector-specific policies for IT, electronics, and manufacturing provide capital subsidies of up to 50%, land and rental support, electricity duty exemptions, SGST reimbursement, and power tariff concessions, prioritizing large-scale and early investors.

Government procurement support under Startup Odisha ensures that 20% of contracts are reserved for recognized startups and MSMEs, with relaxations in prior turnover and EMD requirements. Complementing these, skill development and technical education initiatives fund training programs and incubator support, enhancing employability and fostering a robust startup ecosystem.

The 25th edition of Enterprise Odisha is expected to serve as a key platform for investors, policymakers, startups, and MSMEs to explore partnerships, showcase innovations, and discuss strategies to accelerate the state’s industrial and economic growth.