Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub, called ‘BharatNetra initiative’, in Bhubaneswar.
This hub has been launched by the Odisha government in collaboration with Global Finance & Technology Network Singapore (GFTN), National University of Singapore and Asian Institute of Digital Finance. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Electronics & IT Minister Shri Mukesh Mahaling and GFTN CEO Sopnendu Mohanty were also present during the launch event.
The CM termed it as a transformative initiative that will shape the future of finance in Odisha. “It will strengthen India’s global leadership in the digital economy in which Odisha will play a central role. The initiative will skill over 7,000 students across all 30 districts of Odisha. It will run certification programmes designed by the Asian Institute of Digital Finance at the National University of Singapore,” he said.
Majhi said that this outcome was forged during the historic visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha in January this year. “The state will nurture startups and entrepreneurs by establishing a dedicated centre of excellence within this Hub. In addition, the project will also establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC),” he informed.
The GCC here will act as a strong foundation for attracting global financial institutions and new investments into Odisha, he added.
Speaking on the state’s efforts to improve digital infrastructure, The CM said that a cable landing station connecting Bhubaneswar to Singapore’ is being established. “Odisha is the first state to formulate an AI Policy and we are now in the process of launching a dedicated FinTech Policy and GCC Policy to attract global investments,” he said.
The CM said this initiative is in line with the vision of Prime Minister, who has envisioned skilling of 3 crore youth of the country with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore during his Independence Day speech this year. “Odisha is ready to contribute to this grand vision,” he stressed.
Stating that Odisha is building one of the strongest talent pools in India, he said that about 1.8 lakh graduate annually from various engineering, polytechnics, and IT streams in the state and it also includes skilled youths in 950 ITIs.
Emphasising the importance of research, the CM said that Odisha has established a Deep Neural Network Laboratory and other centres of excellence. “Our vision is to make Odisha the Research Capital of the East,” he underlined.
The CM also thanked the Prime Minister for central government approval for two semiconductor fabrication units in Odisha. “Semiconductors are the building blocks of the digital economy, and Odisha is proud to play a leadership role in this national mission,” he said.
On the occasion, the CM also launched BharatNetra Hackathon Website and announced a GCC + overall programme.
Dharmendra said that Odisha’s vision aligns with India’s national priority to skill our youth for the global digital economy. “The BharatNetra initiative will not only open pathways for employment and entrepreneurship but also strengthen India’s leadership in financial inclusion and innovation,” he added.
