In the Manufacturing and Heavy Industries sector, the Odisha Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has a significant role to play in promoting industrial growth, improving infrastructure, and facilitating policy advocacy to make Odisha an attractive investment destination. This sector is crucial to the state’s economic development, and there are several areas where the Chamber can focus its efforts to enhance the growth and competitiveness of manufacturing and heavy industries in Odisha:
Focus: Odisha is a major producer of steel and has vast reserves of iron ore and other minerals necessary for the production of steel. The OCCI can work to support large steel manufacturers and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) involved in metal production.
Initiatives: Encourage sustainable production methods, increase investment in research and development (R&D), and help improve technology adoption in steel and metal production.
Focus: Odisha has a potential market for manufacturing heavy machinery used in mining, construction, and infrastructure development. The state also has industries like mining equipment and power plant equipment manufacturing.
Initiatives: Promote innovation in the design and production of heavy machinery, encourage collaboration between local manufacturers and global players, and help businesses tap into both domestic and export markets.
Focus: With India being a growing hub for automobile manufacturing, Odisha can attract automobile manufacturers and auto component producers. The state has the potential to become a key player in the automotive supply chain.
Initiatives: Promote infrastructure for automobile parks, support local auto component manufacturers, and work towards creating an ecosystem for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.
Focus: Cement production is one of Odisha’s key industries, driven by the growing construction sector. The state also produces other building materials like steel, tiles, and ceramics.
Initiatives: Focus on increasing production capacity, adopting green manufacturing practices, and promoting innovation in building materials like eco-friendly cement and sustainable construction materials.
Focus: While textiles and garments are growing in Odisha, it remains an area with untapped potential. The Chamber can help promote the growth of this sector, which includes both traditional weaving and industrial textile production.
Initiatives: Encourage investment in textile parks, improve the quality of raw materials, and promote sustainable practices such as eco-friendly dyes and materials.
Focus: The electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing sector in Odisha can be expanded with the right policies and infrastructure. The state is also well-positioned for investments in power generation and transmission equipment.
Initiatives: Advocate for incentives to set up electronics manufacturing units, support R&D for new technologies, and promote Odisha as a hub for renewable energy equipment manufacturing (solar panels, wind turbines).
Focus: Odisha has the potential to emerge as a critical player in defence and aerospace manufacturing due to its proximity to defence research and development centres in India.
Initiatives: Encourage collaboration between defence companies, private players, and the government, and create a favourable policy environment to attract investments in defence manufacturing.
Focus: Odisha can become a key manufacturing hub for chemical and petrochemical products due to its proximity to raw materials like natural gas and petroleum.
Initiatives: Promote investments in chemical plants, encourage the adoption of green chemicals, and foster industries related to fertilizers, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Focus: With the growing demand for renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, Odisha can take a leading position in the manufacturing of renewable energy equipment.
Initiatives: Support the setup of solar panel and wind turbine manufacturing units, help attract international partners, and provide training and certification for the workforce.
Focus: The manufacturing and heavy industry sector in Odisha requires significant investment in infrastructure, including roads, ports, railways, and power.
Initiatives: The OCC can help advocate for infrastructure development projects, improve connectivity to ports (especially Paradip Port), and ensure a steady power supply to industrial zones.
