How will the proposed Economic Regions reshape Odisha’s investment landscape? Which districts and sectors stand to gain the most?The objective is regionally balanced industrial development. Industrialisation should not remain concentrated in a few pockets. Economic Regions will help extend growth to districts that have remained relatively under-industrialised. For example, the western Odisha region will cover districts such as Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur and others. Sectors will be aligned to regional strengths. Food processing, textiles and related industries can grow in western Odisha, while chemical and petrochemical industries will be concentrated near ports. Mineral-rich districts such as Jharsuguda and Sundargarh will continue to attract metal, aluminium and power projects.Odisha is an agrarian state. What is stopping it from becoming a major food processing hub?Odisha is already among the leading states in food processing. The challenge is that food-processing industries are largely demand-driven. States such as Maharashtra and Gujarat have larger urban markets that generate greater demand. Odisha is still a growing market, but the state’s growth trajectory and initiatives such as participation in major food-processing events are aimed at strengthening its position as a food-processing hub.So demand, rather than infrastructure, is the key constraint…Food processing is closely linked to demand generated by urban centres. Odisha is not lagging because of a lack of infrastructure. It is a matter of demand dynamics. As urbanisation and consumption grow, the state is well positioned to emerge as one of the strongest contenders in eastern India’s food-processing landscape.Odisha has never lacked MoUs. The bigger challenge has been converting commitments into projects. How does IPICOL measure success beyond investment proposals?Today, we are focused not only on ease of doing business, but also on speed of doing business. Our role does not end with attracting investments; it ends when production begins. Facilitating land allotment, approvals and clearances is equally important. We are integrating the GO SWIFT portal with other departmental portals so that industries do not have to submit the same documents repeatedly. This will accelerate project grounding and implementation.What steps is Odisha taking to attract investments beyond mining and metals?The biggest emphasis is on sector-specific policies. Odisha already performs strongly in mining and metals, but we now have dedicated policies for textiles, semiconductors, GCCs and pharmaceuticals. We are also encouraging sector-based industrial clusters. Textile industries, semiconductor projects and pharma investments are being planned in dedicated locations. Such clustering builds investor confidence and enables industries to start operations more quickly.Where do local jobs, especially for women and skilled workers, fit into this strategy?Women are expected to constitute a significant share of employment in sectors such as textiles. Technology-driven sectors, including semiconductors and IT, will also create opportunities for women and skilled professionals. We are ensuring industrial locations remain accessible and safe. These investments are expected to generate high-skilled jobs for engineering graduates as well as semi-skilled employment for those graduating from ITIs, polytechnics and similar institutions.What outcomes do you expect from these initiatives by 2029?By 2029, most districts in Odisha should see greater levels of industrialisation. We also expect strong MSME growth around anchor industries. Food-processing units, for example, require packaging, testing and other support services, creating opportunities for MSMEs. Similar ancillary ecosystems will emerge around textile and other sectors. Our focus is on strengthening these linkages through coordinated efforts by IPICOL and the MSME department.The number of MSMEs closing down in Odisha has been rising. How is the state helping small businesses to stay viable?Sustaining micro enterprises is a challenge because many operate as household units. Supporting them requires coordination among multiple departments, including MSME, agriculture, Mission Shakti and women & child development. Marketing support is especially critical. We are also providing training in quality control, packaging and related areas, along with exposure visits. The aim is to help entrepreneurs move beyond basic manufacturing and build sustainable businesses through better market access and capacity-building.
