Odisha must focus on building intellectual capital: Investment expert

Bhubaneswar: Calling for a paradigm shift in Odisha’s development journey, Yanan Wu, chairman of Singapore-based investment firm Surfin Group, on Thursday said the state must transform itself from a “mining state to a mind state” by focusing on knowledge, technology and youth empowerment.

Speaking at the ‘Black Swan Summit’ here, Wu said, “Odisha has immense potential to emerge as a global hub for innovation-driven industries. Odisha has already contributed immensely to India through its mineral wealth. The future, however, lies in building intellectual capital. We want Odisha to move from being known as a mining state to a mind state,” he said.


Wu, who has over 26 years of global investment experience working with institutions, said his group is keen on making long-term investments in the state. “Odisha has a young population, policy stability and cost advantages. These are the foundations for sustainable transformation,” he added.

He announced plans to create around 600 jobs in Odisha over the next two years, with a strong focus on technology and data-driven sectors. “Our aim is to empower young professionals and give them global exposure without forcing them to migrate,” Wu said.

He said the future of Odisha depends on how effectively it nurtures its youth. “When you invest in young minds, you invest in the future of the state. Odisha can become a knowledge powerhouse for India and the world,” Wu said.

James Boey, CEO of China, India, Asean and Central Asia at the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), said, “Odisha is steadily emerging as a talent hub with a strong focus on capacity building and global exposure. “We have set a target to train 7,000 students from Odisha over the next five years to enhance their skills and employability,” Boey said.

He added that 11 companies have been empanelled to provide jobs and entrepreneurial support to trained students. “We have already identified 125 students from Odisha for global exposure and internship programmes, which reflects the state’s growing potential,” he said.

The summit, which concludes on Friday, has brought together global investors, policy experts and industry leaders to explore disruptive ideas and next-generation growth opportunities. Several speakers echoed the need for Odisha to leverage technology, innovation and human capital to drive its next phase of development.