By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, April 25, 2020: Faced with recession in the aftermath of global Covid-19 pandemic, the Odisha government is working on a plan to infuse large scale funds to create infrastructures like road, rail, port, power transmission lines and developing industrial parks.

As part of the plan, the state government is gearing up to develop new dedicated industrial parks, speedy implementation of ongoing projects like the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) and plastics park at Paradip, Kalinganagar steel clusters and Angul aluminium park.

The government also moots new industrial clusters like mega textile parks at Ganjam mega IT park and data centre at Naraj in Cuttack and industrial development along the Biju Expressway.

PCPIR at Paradip is one of the 4 PCPIRs in the country and is the only greenfield PCPIR which has seen significant developments in recent times. The State has identified Chemicals and Petrochemicals as a Focus Sector and offers competitive advantages to industries setting up manufacturing facilities in the sector.

The issue was discussed at the meeting of inter-ministerial committee with representatives of as many as 17 industrial associations from diverse sectors in Odisha through videoconferencing on Saturday.

Officials said investment in industrial projects will help in generating industrial demand in the state and also to facilitate ready infrastructure to the industries of the state, when they will start operations.

In view of the emerging situation across the globe, the state government has also planned to tap investment potential in new areas. These include healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing in the wake of the increased focus across the healthcare value chain.

Similarly, government also seeks investment in chemical and Petrochemicals sector keeping in mind the huge scope in the state.

The move followed a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee headed by finance minister Niranjan Pujari on Saturday whee officials and representatives of various industry associations.

Based on the suggestions made by the industry representatives, the ministerial panel would submit a report to the state government for announcement of package, said official sources.

Industries sector contributes about 39.60 per cent to the state’s gross state domestic product according to the Economic Survey report. Revival of industries sector also crucial as the state government gears up for third edition of the Make in Odisha conclave scheduled in November-December this year.