Bhubaneswar, Nov 18 (Representative) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Monday, held discussions with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade & Commerce, Gan Kim Yong, as well as Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sim Ann. They held a series of meetings aimed at exploring Singapore’s globally acclaimed infrastructure and establishing strategic partnerships for Odisha’s ongoing industrial transformation. The discussions focused on fostering ties to boost trade, culture, and strategic collaboration between Odisha and Singapore. Key areas of focus included heritage, tourism, and strengthening people-to-people partnerships.
Majhi expressed keen interest in adopting Singapore’s green and smart city solutions. Both sides agreed to undertake joint efforts in the areas of green energy, technology, and industries. The Singaporean delegation acknowledged the contributions of Odia professionals in enriching Singapore’s multicultural diversity. Both leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing climate change, promoting digital growth, and building sustainable futures. Plans were also made to encourage innovation and investments to drive mutual economic growth. On the second day of the Odisha delegation’s visit to Singapore,the agenda for the day centered around industrial growth and skill development, with a focus on key sectors. The day began with a detailed tour of the Surbana Jurong Petrochemicals Complex, where the delegation observed the state-of-the-art infrastructure that has positioned Surbana Jurong as a global leader in petrochemical processing.
This visit is particularly significant as Odisha, strategically located on India’s eastern seaboard, is emerging as a key investment hub in the Bay of Bengal region for petrochemicals and chemicals. By leveraging insights from Singapore’s advanced petrochemical ecosystem, Odisha aims to enhance its own Petroleum, Chemicals, and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) at Paradip. Following the Surbana Jurong visit, the delegation participated in a Government-to-Government (G2G) meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. During the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted Odisha’s rich maritime history and cultural traditions, including the Boita Bandāna festival, which celebrates the state’s naval heritage. He extended an invitation to Singaporean businesses to explore investment opportunities in Odisha, assuring a smooth and supportive investment environment. Majhi also invited the Deputy Prime Minister to visit Odisha for the Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025. Later, the delegation held discussions with the Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sim Ann, focusing on active cooperation between Singapore and Odisha. Particular praise was given to the successful partnership that led to the establishment of the World Skill Centre in Odisha in collaboration with the Government of Singapore and ITEES.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for further collaboration in areas such as urban mobility, green shipping corridors, and the development of chemicals and petrochemicals complexes. In a separate one-on-one meeting with Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Majhi discussed innovations in the fintech sector, aligning them with Odisha’s rapidly growing economy. This visit represents a significant milestone in Odisha’s strategic outreach ahead of the Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, scheduled for January. According to sources from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the next two days will be pivotal as the Chief Minister engages in discussions with investors and industry associations to explore potential collaborations. The delegation also plans to meet with members of the Odia diaspora in Singapore to seek their inputs and support for Odisha’s development. These engagements are expected to further strengthen Odisha’s reputation as a premier investment destination in India.