Bhubaneswar: Odisha and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday reviewed the progress of ongoing development projects and discussed expanding their partnership to support the state’s long-term development goals under the Viksit Odisha-2036 and Viksit Bharat-2047 vision.
The review was conducted at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhavan, where senior ADB officials and state government representatives deliberated on current projects and future areas of cooperation.
During the meeting, ADB presented an overview of its engagement in Odisha, highlighting the status of projects in sectors including skill development, urban transport, agriculture, energy and climate resilience. The multilateral development institution also outlined proposed initiatives aimed at strengthening infrastructure, boosting economic growth and enhancing the state’s development capacity over the coming years.
ADB officials presented the proposed loan strategy framework for Odisha for the 2028-2032 period under its India Resident Mission. The proposed cooperation envisages support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), industrial production, inclusive economic growth, human resource development, carbon emission reduction, gender equality, women’s entrepreneurship, livelihood promotion, social security and technical knowledge exchange.
The meeting also reviewed the proposed second phase of the Odisha Skill Development Project. The initiative is expected to focus on expanding the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar, establishing new campuses in Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur and Sambalpur, upgrading selected Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), promoting advanced technology-based training and creating an industry-ready skilled workforce.
Discussions further covered ADB’s implementation and advisory support for projects related to urban transport, tourism, cluster-based horticulture and agribusiness, the energy sector, climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable urban development.
Chief Secretary Garg stressed the need for timely preparation of priority projects, stronger inter-departmental coordination and sustained engagement with ADB to ensure effective project implementation. ADB, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Odisha through financial assistance, technical expertise and global best practices.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen their partnership to accelerate sustainable, inclusive and resilient development across the state.
The meeting was attended by ADB Country Director Mio Oka and senior ADB officials, along with senior officers from the Odisha government, including representatives from the Housing and Urban Development, Electronics and IT, Energy, Skill Development and Technical Education, Sports, Tourism and Disaster Management departments.
