Bhubaneswar: Eastern India is the growth engine of the country and Odisha will be the business hub of this region, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the inauguration of the two-day Utkarsh Odisha 2025 Conclave in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister hailed Odisha for the business summit saying, “I congratulate Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his team for organising the largest business conclave so far. Utkarsh Odisha Conclave 2025 is probably five to six times larger than the business meets held earlier. “Such gatherings are instrumental in driving the state’s development and fostering investment opportunities.”
The Prime Minister emphasised eastern India plays a significant role in India’s economic growth and will be the hub of the country’s trade with South East Asia. “In ancient times when India contributed immensely to global growth, eastern India played a crucial role. Odisha, as the center for trade with Southeast Asia, was at the forefront of this development,” the Prime Minister said.
Reflecting on Odisha’s legacy, the Prime Minister said that the ports of this state acted as the gateway of India to the South East Asian countries. The Bali Yatra, which is celebrated in Cuttack every year, is testimony to this.” Modi expressed optimism about Odisha reclaiming its historical role as a trade and cultural hub in the 21st century.
In his address, the Prime Minister mentioned about Singapore’s keenness towards its growing relationship with Odisha and the ASEAN nations’ interest in revitalising trade and traditional connections with the state.
Talking “connected infrastructure and multi-modal connectivity,” Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of the ongoing projects in Odisha to improve logistics and reduce costs for industries. With thousands of crores invested in developing railways, highways, and ports, Odisha is poised to become a leading state in India’s blue economy.
He elaborated on how these developments align with India’s focus on green technology and sustainability, ensuring a future-ready Odisha. He described Odisha as a state of “optimism, originality, and opportunity,” the Prime Minister lauded its people for their passion to outperform. He assured investors of unmatched growth opportunities, saying, “Yahi samay hai, sahi samay hai,” reiterating his confidence in Odisha’s potential.
