Mumbai: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday outlined the state’s ambition to transition from a mineral-driven economy to a chemical-led industrial economy, leveraging its mineral resources, ports, existing industrial base and emerging investment opportunities.
Speaking at the inaugural session of India Chem 2026, which commenced at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Majhi highlighted Odisha’s strategic advantages because of Paradip, Gopalpur and Dhamra ports, which offer connectivity to domestic and international markets.
The Chief Minister pointed out the significance of Paradip Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s refinery and petrochemical complex, and also the Plastic Park at Paradip in creating downstream opportunities in polymers, packaging and technical textiles.
Majhi also highlighted emerging opportunities in refrigerants, fluorochemicals, green hydrogen and green ammonia at Gopalpur, alongside coal-gasification-based projects at Talcher and Lakhanpur. He said these developments can help strengthen domestic manufacturing and expand Odisha’s role in India’s chemical and petrochemical value chain.
Nearly 200 industrial units had been established in Odisha in less than two-and-a-half years, representing investments of approximately Rs 3.52 lakh crore, CM Majhi said. Further, Odisha has received investment proposals exceeding Rs 22.50 lakh crore, of which more than Rs 12.50 lakh crore have been approved by the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA).
He also referred to several proposals related to chemicals, petrochemicals and critical minerals received last month during his investor outreach in the UAE. Around Rs 2.5 lakh crore worth of investment proposals were received, including around Rs 2.10 lakh crore from International Holding Company (IHC).
Emphasising the State’s investor-friendly approach, Shri Majhi highlighted Odisha’s industrial policy support, infrastructure, skilled workforce and institutional ecosystem, including the support available through the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) and the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET).
“Odisha is ready to contribute at scale to realise India’s one-trillion-dollar chemical dream by 2040,” the Chief Minister said.
“Your success is our success.. Come, Invest in Odisha and be a part of Samruddh Odisha,” he appealed, inviting investors to explore opportunities across the state.
The 14th edition of India Chem has brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and global stakeholders under the theme ‘Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub.’
The inaugural session of the three-day event, being organised by Indian government’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, in association with FICCI, was attended by Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda, his junior minister Anupriya Patel, Odisha CM Majhi, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, and other senior government officials.
