Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 (Representative) The second Odisha Mining & Infrastructure International Expo kick started on Thursday and will showcase the immense potential of the state’s mining and infrastructure sectors. The four-day event organized by Futurex Trade Fair and Events Pvt. Ltd., was inaugurated by Odisha Energy and MSME Minister Pratap Keshari Deb. Inaugurating the expo, Deb said earlier that Odisha has been wrongly positioned on a global scale for its negative attributes of poverty and unemployment. But now the investment growth of Odisha has surpassed 20 percent at the national level, he said, adding that the state now occupies the highest position in mining sectors like bauxite, coal, iron ore, and other mining products.Speaking on this occasion, Head Mining, AM/NS India, Amit Dubey, said in mining and steel making, Odisha holds a key position in the world’s industry map. AM/NS India, he said, had put its footprint in the state very strongly with its mining, beneficiation plant, and steel making. AM’NS India, Dubey said, is operating in the state with its steel plant at Paradeep and has started construction for the proposed mega steel plant at Kendrapara. Futurex Managing Director Swami Prem Anveshi said over the years, the mining industry has grown in the country by leaps and bounds, and Odisha has occupied the first rank in the mining industry all over the country.
He said the Odisha Mining Expo will showcase the largest and most diverse range of mining machinery, equipment, advanced technology solutions, services, and supplies from India and overseas. This is the largest mining exhibition that brings together the key players in the market, contributing to the growth of the mining sector in India,Anveshi said. According to the latest reports, Odisha is the largest producer of minerals in India, with a share of approximately half of the total mineral production in the country. Director MSME Pawan Gupta said the Odisha government is focusing on the development of the mining sector. The state government, he said, has commendably demonstrated its commitment to fostering the growth of the mining industry through proactive initiatives. As a pivotal contributor to the mining sector, neighboring states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan are participating in the two-day expo. The expo also has delegates coming from Japan, Europe, and SAARC countries. On this occasion, women entrepreneurs were awarded for their outstanding performance in their respective fields.