Odisha takes initiatives for transparent investment process

Seeking to attract mega investment, the Odisha government has launched a portal to facilitate ease of doing business and taken another initiative to streamline approvals for setting up units in the state.
"We have launched an online portal for central investment programme. The central inspection frame work will make the system fair and help reducing any scope for exploitation or repetition," Odisha Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi told reporters here at the ongoing Make in India (MII) Week.
"We have also launched 'E-biz', which is a step ahead of single window system. Under 'E-biz', we will reduce human contact and all clearances will be made online. It will also be utilised for any queries and payments," he added.

Padhi said instead of making announcements about the number of agreements signed, the state would rather focus on conversion of the agreements into projects at the ground level.
"We have the highest rate of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) getting implemented. Of the 92 MoU signed, 52 has been converted into projects in the state," he added.
According to the officer, Odisha has the advantage of natural minerals along with huge land bank as well as a coastline to attract domestic as well as foreign investors.

"We have 1 lakh acres land available for setting up of industries, of which 10,000 acres can be used immediately," he said.

The state is also planning to develop a defence and aerospace Park in Gopalpur.
"We have Sure Safety Solutions (SSS), a Mumbai-based firm in collaboration with UK-based Meggitt Defence Systems setting up a defence unit for manufacturing of aerial target systems in the Special Economic Zone.
"We are trying to get more companies to invest in Gopalpur so that we can develop a defence and aerospace Park. It can either be inside the existing SEZ or outside," he said.
The state is also planning to come up with a start-up policy to encourage entrepreneurs and new businesses.
"We will be announcing a start-up policy in another 3-4 months that will encourage entrepreneurs in the state to set up business," he said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today unveiled a 10-year-road map that aims to attract an investment of Rs 2.25 lakh crore and generate 10 lakh job in the state.