Despite environmental issues, Odisha continues to be the third most-preferred destination for investors and ranks as the fastest-growing State in attracting tourists, according to a study, conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
Besides, the State has also registered positive growth both in manufacturing and services sectors contrary to economic slowdown in India and globally, stated ASSOCHAM’s national secretary general DS Rawat here on Wednesday.
Maharashtra and Gujarat remained ahead of Odisha with a share of 9.7 per cent and 9.5 per cent respectively in the total outstanding investments, he informed.
With a share of over seven per cent, the State has attracted investments worth about Rs 12 lakh crore out of the total investments worth over Rs 158 lakh crore attracted by various sectors from both public and private sources in top 21 states across India as on March 31, 2015,” noted a study titled ‘Realising Economic potential of Odisha’, released by the ASSOCHAM.
“Focus on key sectors like healthcare, education, tourism, information technology, mining and minerals, infrastructure – port, energy, skill development, MSME, agro and food processing, handloom and handicrafts, petrochemicals and bio-pharma would transform Odisha’ s economy, said Rawat.
The ASSOCHAM is preparing a ‘Blueprint for promoting ease of doing business in Odisha, which would be submitted to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik within two months, he informed.