Bhubaneswar: US Consul General Jennifer Larson met Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday and discussed various investment opportunities and tourism in the state.
During the meeting, Singh Deo highlighted Odisha’s strategic location, rich mineral resources, fertile soil, and extensive coastline, emphasizing their potential to attract tourists and foreign investors. He outlined the state’s initiatives to develop its tourism sector, leveraging its cultural, heritage, and biodiversity-rich sites.
The Deputy CM also discussed Odisha’s priorities, including the establishment of the coastline as a destination and transportation route, the promotion of solar energy in the power sector and encouraging investment in food production, exports, IT, textiles, and industrial establishments.
Singh Deo assured Larson of the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, creating new tourism areas, and offering incentives to attract foreign tourists and investors.
Larson presented Singh Deo with a book on US national parks and expressed her commitment to fostering cooperation between the US and Odisha. With her experience in Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, Larson aims to strengthen economic ties and promote mutual growth.
The meeting marks a significant step towards enhancing US-Odisha relations, focusing on investment, tourism, and economic development.
The US Consul General also called on Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain and discussed potential industries, employment, and export-import opportunities in the state.
Principal Secretary, Industries, Hemant Sharma highlighted Odisha’s Paradip port as the second-largest port in India, exporting various mineral products, petrochemicals, and seafood to foreign countries like China, Japan, and Malaysia.
