On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the two-day 'Utkarsh Odisha' – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 and the Make in Odisha Exhibition in Bhubaneswar.

During his speech, PM Modi highlighted that eastern India is becoming a major driver of the country's growth, with Odisha playing a crucial role in this progress. He also pointed out that this region is now offering more opportunities than ever before since the country gained independence. The Prime Minister urged all the industry leaders at the grand conclave to invest in Odisha, emphasising that now is the perfect time to be part of the state's development. He also assured them that their investments would bring great success and growth. "With new opportunities emerging in Odisha, the state will soon reach unprecedented heights of development," the Prime Minister stated, drawing on his own experience of seeing the abilities, diligence, and integrity of Odisha residents in Gujarat.

He also mentioned that Odisha is emerging as one of the top states in India in several industries, such as food processing, petrochemicals, port development, fisheries, IT, edtech, textiles, tourism, mining, and green energy. PM Modi pointed out that India is shifting away from the old trend of sending raw minerals abroad for manufacturing and value addition, only to have the finished products brought back to India.

"Our government is working to ensure that industries related to the resources available in Odisha are established within the state. Today's Utkarsh Odisha Conclave 2025 is a means to realise this vision," he added. The Prime Minister described the Utkarsh Odisha conclave as the largest business summit in the state's history, with five to six times more investors attending this year.

He urged everyone to acknowledge the challenges posed by the global supply chain in an ever-changing world, stressing that India cannot depend on fragmented, import-based supply chains. Instead, he called for the creation of a strong supply and value chain within India to reduce the impact of global disruptions. The Prime Minister pointed out that building this system is a shared responsibility between the government and the industry. He encouraged industries to support MSMEs and young startups, highlighting the need for research and innovation to drive growth. He also mentioned that the Central government is working to establish a dynamic research ecosystem in the country, with a special fund and initiatives for internships and skill development.

The Prime Minister stressed that a strong research ecosystem and a skilled young workforce will directly benefit industries. He urged industry leaders and the Odisha government to collaborate and build a modern ecosystem that meets the aspirations of Odisha, creating more opportunities for the youth. He mentioned that the world is focusing more on sustainable living and moving toward a greener future, which will create many green job opportunities in the near future. He also pointed out that India is investing in green technologies, such as solar, wind, hydro, and green hydrogen, to ensure energy security as the country moves towards development.

The Prime Minister noted that Odisha has great potential in this area, and the government is making key policy decisions to boost renewable energy industries in the state. Efforts are also underway to produce hydrogen energy. He added that along with green energy, steps are being taken to grow the petrochemical industry in Odisha. He mentioned that dedicated industrial parks and investment zones are being developed in Paradip and Gopalpur, which present huge investment opportunities. He also stressed the importance of exploring Odisha’s tourism potential, highlighting its 500 km coastline, over 33% forest cover, and countless opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure tourism. India's focus was on "Wed in India" and "Heal in India," and the prime minister pointed out that Odisha's atmosphere and natural beauty greatly aided these efforts.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised that India has great potential for conference tourism. He encouraged both state governments and the private sector to focus on improving infrastructure and skills for the event economy. This includes areas like event management, artist training, security and other necessary arrangements, where new opportunities are starting to emerge.