By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 24, 2020: Odisha is all set for the next level of industrial development in the post-COVID-19 era.

The state, which has managed to successfully tackle the cyclone Amphan is now ready for the next phase of industrialization, according to union minister of petroleum & natural gas and steel, Dharmendra Pradhan.

Pradhan said the eastern Indian state has taken remarkable initiatives for making the state an investment destination.

“The successful management of cyclone has opened new avenues for investment. The state is now ready for the next higher level of industrial development in the post-COVID-19 scenario, he said while presiding over an interactive meeting over video conference on Saturday.

The central and state governments should work in tandem to achieve that goal, Pradhan hoped.

Particiapting in the programme, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy said, “We can assure hassle-free business eco-system for the investors along with expeditious grounding of the projects. Sectoral industrial parks with a delineated land bank are in “ready to move” condition for the investors, he remarked.

“We need to develop more infrastructure and industrial townships around the industrial clusters,” he added.

Industries Secretary Hemant Sharma outlined the competitive advantage of Odisha as an investment destination. “Along with strategic coastal location, major ports and mineral deposit, the state has developed an industry-ready land bank of 505 square kilometres in different locations.

“Being a power surplus state with 17,600 MW of production, Odisha can assure investors quality power supply, Sharma said adding that there is also a natural gas pipeline network across the state.

A single-window clearance system with its robust online portal “Go Swift” ensures timely delivery of various support services to investors, he said.

Sharma also said the state has abundant availability of skilled manpower in the post-COVID scenario.

He said the policy frameworks for the promotion of industries in different sectors like mining and metals, petrochemicals, chemicals and plastics, textiles and apparel, IT, ITES and electronics, manufacturing, food processing and tourism will help boost the industries.