Odisha CM Majhi Pitches State as East Coast Industrial Hub in Ahmedabad

On the first day of his three-day visit to Gujarat, Chief Minister Majhi, while addressing the Odisha Investors' Meet Roadshow in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, said, "Gujarat has powered India's west. Odisha is now ready to power India's east, offering scale, speed, and strategic access to the next frontier of growth. For industries looking ahead, Odisha presents not just an opportunity, but a long-term competitive advantage."

According to an official statement, the first day of the Chief Minister's visit to Gujarat witnessed strong participation from industry leaders, business associations, and institutional stakeholders, reflecting growing confidence in Odisha's evolving industrial ecosystem.

Addressing a gathering of more than 500 industry representatives, the Chief Minister emphasised that India's next phase of economic expansion will be stronger and more balanced with the rise of eastern India, placing Odisha at the centre of this transformation.

"We are here with a clear message: Odisha is ready for the next chapter of India's industrial growth. We invite industry to explore, invest, and grow with us as we build a future-ready industrial ecosystem," he stated.

The roadshow was marked by focused engagements and two sectoral roundtables, including a Textile Round Table, and direct interactions with industry leaders, enabling meaningful dialogue on investment opportunities, policy support, and facilitation mechanisms.

The Chief Minister also chaired 26 one-on-one meetings, reflecting Odisha's commitment to responsive governance and investor-centric engagement. Discussions spanned a wide range of sectors, highlighting the State's growing capabilities across both established and emerging industries. During sectoral interactions, particularly in textiles, the Chief Minister highlighted the deep cultural and economic connect between Odisha and Gujarat.

"From the sacred land of Lord Jagannath in Puri to the revered Dwarka of Gujarat, our states share enduring cultural and civilisational ties. Gujarat has long been a leader in textiles, and Odisha is emerging strongly with a supportive ecosystem, skilled workforce, and policy-driven growth," he said.

He also added that Odisha is not defined by a single sector and the state is building integrated industrial ecosystems that enable industries to invest, expand, innovate, and grow sustainably over the long term. Highlighting Odisha's competitive edge, the Chief Minister emphasised that Odisha's geography is a strategic advantage for investment to establish industries.

"With a long coastline and operational ports, we offer direct access to the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific growth corridor, creating a strong platform for global connectivity and trade. Investors come where there is trust in intent, in systems, and in leadership. In Odisha, we are committed to ensuring that intent translates into action through transparency, responsiveness, and delivery," Majhi stated.

The delegation from Odisha also included Minister for Industries Sampad Chandra Swain, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, ACS Industries, Home and I&PR Hemant Sharma, and senior officials of the Government of Odisha.

- IANS