Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday said a defence manufacturing ecosystem will be developed in Odisha, with focus on MSMEs, startups, skilled manpower, and precision manufacturing.
Speaking to the media about his two-day Hyderabad roadshow on Thursday and Friday, the CM said preparations were underway to begin missile component manufacturing in the state. Majhi said the visit allowed Odisha to deepen its engagement with India’s growing defence and space-production network. As part of the programme, he, along with senior officials, visited Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a leading defence equipment manufacturer based in Hyderabad.
During the two-day investment outreach, the Odisha delegation held 73 high-level meetings and conducted two sectoral roundtables—one with eight major pharma companies and another with 27 defence-related firms. The CM said both sectors were currently negligible in Odisha but investor interest shown during the discussions marked a promising shift.
The chief minister said he held one-on-one meetings with 38 industrialists, covering opportunities in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, defence production, renewable energy equipment, electronics and IT, data centres, textiles, and advanced manufacturing. More than 500 industry leaders and business bodies attended the mega roadshow.
Majhi said the Hyderabad visit strengthened investor confidence in Odisha. “The response was very encouraging and satisfying. Industrialists now clearly see Odisha’s industrial environment, infrastructure, and policy-driven growth model,” he said, adding that Odisha was on course to become India’s “largest investment hub.”
He outlined a roadmap for rapid industrialisation, including an upcoming Enterprise Odisha event in Rourkela on January 28 to 29, 2026, followed by an industrial conclave in Kolkata. To improve the ease of doing business, the state is making 23 amendments to streamline and update outdated laws.
Turning to results from Hyderabad, Majhi said Odisha secured 13 MoUs worth Rs 27,650 crore, creating 15,905 jobs. Additionally, nine investment intent filings were received, unlocking a potential Rs 39,131 crore investment with 40,435 jobs. In total, the roadshow generated commitments of Rs 66,781 crore and 56,340 employment opportunities, making it one of the state’s most successful investment promotion efforts.
The CM said since the launch of Utkarsh Odisha-2025, projects worth Rs 4,38,224 crore were approved, creating 2,55,817 jobs. In the last 18 months alone, industrial projects worth Rs 2.10 lakh crore were inaugurated or grounded, ensuring 1,63,725 jobs. Odisha has also hosted sectoral conferences, including the Pharma Conclave and Textile Conclave, besides signing two MoUs at the semiconductor conclave in Delhi.
Majhi said industry leaders appreciated Odisha’s clear policies, improved infrastructure, responsible governance, and his personal monitoring of key projects. “Investors feel Odisha is emerging as the country’s future growth engine,” he said.
The CM emphasised that investor interest was strong in pharmaceuticals, defence, electronics, renewable energy, IT, textiles, and advanced manufacturing—reflecting a shift towards a diversified, value-added, and employment-generating economy.
“As Utkarsh Odisha-2025 nears its first anniversary, the success of the Hyderabad visit marks an important chapter in our industrial journey. Our efforts are genuinely turning intent into reality,” Majhi said.
Industries minister Sampad Chandra Swain, handloom and textiles minister Pradeep Bal Samant, school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond, MSME minister Gokula Nanda Mallik, chief whip Saroj Pradhan, and senior officials of the industries department were present at the media interaction.
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