Finance
The second day of the Odisha delegation in Singapore, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, was marked by in-depth discussions about Singapore’s globally renowned infrastructure and the formation of strategic partnerships for Odisha’s ongoing industrial transformation.
According to an official press release, the emphasis was on crucial areas of industrial growth and skill development. The day started with a detailed tour of the Surbana Jurong Petrochemicals Complex, where the team observed the world-class infrastructure that has helped Surbana Jurong become a global leader in petrochemical processing.
This visit is especially noteworthy because Odisha, located on India’s eastern coast, is rapidly emerging as a key investment destination in the Bay of Bengal region for petrochemicals and chemicals.
Odisha intends to improve its own Petroleum, Chemicals, and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) in Paradip by drawing on experiences from Singapore’s petrochemicals ecosystem.
Following their tour to Jurong, the delegation had its first G2G meeting with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Commerce, Gan Kim Yong.
During the discussion, the Chief Minister informed the Deputy Prime Minister about Odisha’s maritime history and Boita Bandāna, a traditional naval celebration.
The Chief Minister extended an invitation to Singaporean companies through the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office to explore opportunities in Odisha, and assured him a smooth and supportive investment experience.
The Chief Minister and Industries Minister also invited the Deputy Prime Minister to visit to Odisha for the Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025.
The delegation also met with Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. During the meeting, Chief Minister discussed about the active cooperation of the Government of Singapore and ITEES that has helped establish the “World Skill Centre in Odisha” which is a shining example of successful partnership.
The Chief Minister expressed the need for more partnership in the field of “Urban Mobility”, “Green Shipping Corridor and Chemicals and Petrochemicals Complex” between Odisha and Singapore.
The Chief Minister and Industries Minister also invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs to participate in the Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 and for Singapore to participate as country-of-focus during the conclave.
Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Majhi said: “As the Chief Minister of Odisha, witnessing the world-class infrastructure at the Jurong Petrochemicals Complex is truly inspiring. Odisha, strategically located on India’s eastern seaboard, is rapidly emerging as a premier investment destination in the Bay of Bengal region, especially in petrochemicals. The developments at Paradip and other port-based hubs are key drivers for this growth”.
Minister of Industries, Sampad Chandra Swain said: “Odisha’s focus on industrial growth is complemented by our commitment to skill development. We are dedicated to expanding this partnership, enhancing training programs, and ensuring our youth are equipped with the skills necessary to meet the demands of a global workforce”.
The Chief Minister also met one-on-one with Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, to explore fintech developments, particularly in light of Odisha’s booming economy.
The day concluded with a formal conversation with the visiting business delegation from Odisha about business-to-business collaborations between Singaporean and Odia companies.
This visit is a critical phase in Odisha’s strategic outreach efforts ahead of the Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, which is scheduled for January.
The following two days will be critical as the Chief Minister holds one-on-one meetings with investors and business associations to discuss prospective collaborations.
The group will also interact with the Odia diaspora in Singapore to seek their input and support in taking Odisha to the next level. These agreements are intended to strengthen Odisha’s image as a leading investment hub in India.
