By Nageshwar Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, June 17, 2015 : Five global and one Indian consulting firms – Frost & Sullivan, KPMG, Deloitte, E & Y, ILFS [Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd], JLL [Jones Lang Lasalle] are in the race for bagging prestigious contract for Preparation of a Long Term Strategic Plan for Industrial Development in Odisha.

Concerned over the recent decline in investment flow to Odisha, the state government managed Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) has floated a tender for a consultant to guide the state government to prepare a long term strategic plan to spur industrialization in the state.

The aim of the study to be commissioned is to embark on a large program to develop non-mineral based industry through appropriate policy and infrastructure interventions, IPICOL sources said adding that the consultant would help the state to leap frog to the next growth trajectory through an enabling eco-system to stay competitive and attract new investments in the manufacturing and industrial sector.

This study will cover industry scenario of the state, clustering of industries effective, identification of products and markets, their competitiveness, global bench-marking, vision documents for the future of Odisha’s industrial development.

Once the consultant is selected from among the six firms participating in the tender, it would prepare a comprehensive report on the assessment of the industry in Odisha, market analysis, MSME Analysis, cluster level mapping for identified large clusters, competitiveness and impact of the industrial growth to state economy, governance systems in terms of policies, programs, process and institutions, SWOT analysis, infrastructure assessment, etc, IPICOL sources added.

The study also will deal with business environment, opportunity analysis, bench-marking with global and national hubs.

As part of Visioning Exercise, the consultant is required to organize a workshop with the key stakeholders of the industry and the outputs of the workshop shall be incorporated in the strategy and action plans. The consultant will have to prepare a medium term (5 year) and long term (10 year) road map with clear strategies, projects/programs, specific milestones and outcomes, the officials added.

The race to bag the project appears to become very competitive with the participation of Frost & Sullivan – the global knowledge partner for Make in India mission of Government of India. The global player also has done economic roadmap, industry development, investment promotion, business park development for many countries in Southeast Asia and other developed countries worldwide.