Odisha CM hails state's top five NITI Aayog ranking
Bhubaneswar, July 21
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated the people of Odisha, all departments of the Government of Odisha, industry partners, entrepreneurs, investors and public servants following the state's recognition among the top five states in NITI Aayog's first-ever Investment Friendliness Index 2026.
Describing the recognition as a significant milestone in Odisha's development journey, the Chief Minister said the achievement reflects the state's unwavering commitment to transparent governance, policy-driven reforms, investor-friendly administration and sustainable industrial development.
"Odisha's recognition among the top five investment-friendly states is a matter of immense pride for every Odia. This achievement reflects our collective commitment to transparent governance, industry-friendly policies and efficient service delivery. We thank our industry partners for their continued trust in Odisha. This recognition is not our destination but a milestone. We will continue to undertake reforms, strengthen infrastructure and create an even more enabling ecosystem so that Odisha emerges as one of the most preferred investment destinations in India and globally," said CM Majhi.
He also expressed his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to cooperative federalism. Majhi said that the transformative reforms introduced under the Prime Minister's leadership, coupled with the strength of the Double Engine Government, have accelerated Odisha's progress in infrastructure, industrialisation, connectivity, logistics, skilling and overall economic development.
The Investment Friendliness Index, released by NITI Aayog, is India's first comprehensive, evidence-based framework for assessing the investment ecosystem across states and J&K. Odisha secured a place among the top performers, alongside Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Goa, reaffirming its emergence as one of India's most competitive investment destinations.
"The recognition validates Odisha's sustained focus on governance reforms, ease of doing business, institutional efficiency and investor facilitation. Through progressive policy interventions, digital governance, time-bound approvals, strengthened institutional mechanisms and a robust Single Window Clearance system, the state has created an enabling ecosystem that supports investment across diverse sectors," CM Majhi said.
He added that Odisha is emerging beyond its traditional industrial strengths as a diversified manufacturing and services hub attracting investments. The Chief Minister said these investments are transforming Odisha by strengthening industrial value chains, supporting MSMEs and startups, promoting innovation and creating jobs for youth.
The Government has also prioritised the development of modern industrial infrastructure through integrated industrial parks, logistics corridors, improved connectivity, reliable power supply and sector-specific industrial ecosystems. Continuous engagement with domestic and global investors, policy stability and efficient project facilitation have further strengthened Odisha's reputation as a trusted and preferred investment destination.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see Odisha finally getting recognition it deserves. But I hope this isn't just about attracting big corporations - what about our small farmers and local businesses? Real investment friendliness should benefit everyone, not just industrialists.
Excellent work by CM Majhi and his team! Odisha has always been rich in minerals and resources, but now we're smart about how we use them. The Single Window Clearance system is a game-changer. My cousin started a small manufacturing unit in Cuttack and said the process was smoother than ever before.
Top five is great but let's be honest - we're still behind states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu who have decades of industrial experience. The real test will be whether Odisha can sustain this momentum and actually convert these rankings into ground-level jobs and infrastructure. Paperwork is one thing, implementation is another.
As someone who works in investment banking in Mumbai, I can tell you that Odisha is definitely on the radar now. The state has done excellent work in logistics and connectivity - the Paradip port expansion and new expressways are huge. But they need to focus on skill development too; investors need trained workforce.
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