Bhubaneswar, Jan 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Eastern India is a growth engine in the development of the country and Odisha plays a major role in this progress.

PM Modi said this after inaugurating the “Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025” and “Make in Odisha Exhibition” at Janata Maida in Bhubaneswar.

“The contributions of Eastern India were remarkable when India played a major role in global growth. There were huge industrial hubs, ports, trade hubs in Eastern India and Odisha’s participation in this was remarkable,” PM Modi said.

“Odisha used to be an important center in South Eastern Asian trade and the ports were a gateway to India,” he added saying that Bali Yatra is celebrated even today in Odisha.

The Prime Minister remarked that Odisha celebrates a legacy which connects it with South East Asia. He added that Odisha had now begun to revive the glorious heritage in the 21st century. He noted that the President of Singapore recently visited Odisha and Singapore was very enthusiastic about its relationship with Odisha.

PM Modi highlighted that ASEAN countries have also shown interest in strengthening trade and traditional connections with Odisha. He emphasized that numerous opportunities were opening up in this region, more than ever before since independence.

The Prime Minister called upon all the investors present, stating that now is the right time to invest in Odisha's development journey and assured that their investment would lead to new heights of success.

PM Modi also praised Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi and his team for their efforts in accelerating Odisha's development.

PM Modi also noted that Odisha is becoming one of India's leading states in various industries, including food processing, petrochemicals, port-led development, fisheries, IT, edutech, textiles, tourism, mining, and green energy.

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