PM Modi inaugurates 'Utkarsh Odisha' business conclave; highlights state's potential to contribute to India's growth story

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, inaugurated the 'Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025' in Bhubaneswar’s Janatq Maidan. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw were also present at the opening of the two-day business summit.

This year’s conclave, the largest business event in Odisha’s history, will host industry leaders from across India, along with business delegates and envoys from 16 countries. The agenda includes plenary sessions, sector-specific discussions, and thought leadership exchanges.

Organised by the Odisha government, the conclave, designed to facilitate valuable networking opportunities, and promote collaboration among global industry leaders, policymakers, and investors, aims to attract both domestic and international investments, showcasing Odisha as a key industrial hub in Eastern India.

During his inaugural address, PM Modi highlighted Odisha’s potential to become a driving force in India’s economic growth. “History is witness that when India had a big part in global growth, eastern India had a massive contribution towards it.”

The PM emphasised Odisha’s historical importance as a trade centre in Southeast Asia, with its ports serving as gateways to India. He expressed optimism about the state regaining its former economic prominence.

Modi also urged industry leaders to help India achieve self-reliance and resilience against global economic disruptions. “Our raw materials are exported and then get processed somewhere adding value there. A new product is made there and returns to our country. I can’t accept it,” he said.

He asserted that new ecosystems are coming up where all industries related to the processing of raw materials and manufacturing of products are being set up in India. “The government alone cannot do it. Industry leaders must come forward and support MSMEs and start-ups in their sectors.”

Prominent business leaders, including Anil Agarwal, Naveen Jindal, Om Mangalam Birla, and Karan Adani, were in attendance at the opening ceremony.