Investment Climate In Odisha Takes Nosedive

Bhubaneswar: Despite the efforts of the Odisha government in attracting investment to boost its industrial sector, the reports by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and the World Bank Group have revealed the grim investment scenario in the state.

The NCAER State Investment Potential Index (N-SIPI) 2018, which was released in New Delhi on Friday, ranks the competitiveness of the states on six pillars: land, labour, infrastructure, economic climate, political stability and governance, and business perceptions.

In terms of the SIPI overall rankings, Odisha, which was ranked 11^th in the country in 2017, has slipped to 17^th this year.

In the individual pillars, Odisha has slid down the rankings from second to sixth In labour and from first to fifth in infrastructure.

In the land pillar, the state has slipped to 14^th rank this year as against the 7^th rank in 2016.

However, in the economic climate pillar, it has moved to 4^th place as against the 8^th place last year.

In the Ease of Doing Business Ranking, Odisha has slipped to 17^th rank in 2017. The state was ranked 7^th in 2015 and 11^th in 2016.

Commenting on the NCAER report, Industries minister Anant Das said the plight of the industrial sector in all the states including Odisha is dismal.

He, however, said that the state government would thoroughly examine the NCAER report and act accordingly.

Meanwhile, in a bid to encourage the entrepreneurs for investment in Odisha, a high-level delegation led by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to leave for Mumbai on August 8 to attend the Investors’ Meet.

With the ‘Make in Odisha Conclave’ scheduled from November 11 to 15 in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister will lead the campaign to make it successful.