The Samikhsya Bureau
NEW DELHI: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on Wednesday, said that Odisha’s coastline is going to be the hub of maritime trade.
While addressing the “Investment Opportunities in Odisha’ session in the Maritime India Summit 2021, he also assured all potential investors that the Central and State Governments are working in tandem to make Odisha an attractive investment destination.
Pradhan said that Odisha has a rich maritime history and thousands of years ago navigators of the state sailed to different parts of the globe to bring fortune and glory to the state.
With natural harbours, rich natural resources, long coastline and skill-able and hardworking manpower, Odisha is uniquely poised to be the part of Aatmanirbhar journey and contribute to the making of $5 trillion economy, he stated.
The minister said that in the 21st century, the global network of trade and commerce will be maritime and Odisha’s coast will be the gateway.
Paradip is going to be the gateway of growth of eastern part of country. Kalinga Nagar is being developed as a steel hub, envisages to become a self-contained ecosystem, and will enable the potential investors for setting up value added downstream facilities.
“Our initiatives in the petroleum and steel sectors will provide impetus to the maritime economy in Odisha”, he assured.
He said that anchor industries and companies are needed for development and operations of new ports in Odisha and optimal utilization of riverine and sea port area.
