Odisha government sought to hardsell business opportunities in the mineral-rich state to Japanese investors

New Delhi: 21/9/17;The Odisha government today sought to hardsell business opportunities in the mineral-rich state to Japanese investors, citing its investment-friendly policies and other incentives on offer.

A delegation led by state Industries Minister Niranjan Pujari and Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Sanjeev Chopra called on officials of Japanese companies operating in the country, an official statement said.

At a meeting held in the Embassy of Japan here, the state team spoke of the mega industrial projects coming up and the investment opportunities.

Master planning of National Investment and Manufacturing Zone, Kalinganagar, Dhamra Port-based industrial region and Infovalley has been completed while that of petrochemical investment region at Paradip is under way and will be wrapped up in the next 3-4 months, the government said in the statement. Other projects such as plastic park at Paradip, electronics manufacturing cluster at Infovalley and aluminium park in Angul are ready for investments. Pujari, according to the statement, highlighted the state’s pro-business policies, along with other incentives.

“Odisha is fast emerging as the manufacturing hub of eastern India… we invite you to tap the endless opportunities the state offers,” Pujari said.

To help attract Japanese investment in the state, a team comprising senior government as well as industry officials from Odisha will be visiting Japan in the last week of October for greater collaboration.

“Odisha’s business-friendly policies and the development of world-class infrastructure have received very positive feedback from investors…,” Chopra said.

To buttress his point, the secretary said Odisha has been recognised as a ‘leader’ in terms of implementation of business reforms, with 92.73 per cent score in the ‘Ease of Doing Business Report of 2016’.

Indo Nissin Foods Private Ltd, an arm of Japan-based Nissin Foods Holdings, which started operations in Odisha in 2014, has recently proposed to invest another Rs 50 crore to expand its instant noodles facility in the state, he added.