Empowering ESDM Growth: Industry Interaction Workshop Showcasing Odisha’s Advantage

Bhubaneswar : The Electronics and Information Technology (E&IT) Department, Government of Odisha, organized an Industry Interaction Workshop on ‘The Odisha Advantage: Fueling Your ESDM Vision’. The event witnessed a feedback session between the E&IT department and industry stakeholders.

The workshop was chaired by Shri. Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, E&IT Department, Government of Odisha, and Shri. Manas Ranjan Panda, Special Secretary, E&IT Department, Government of Odisha.

The workshop commenced with industry stakeholders, leaders and mentors introducing themselves and sharing insights into their ongoing initiatives and contributions towards advancing Odisha’s ESDM vision. Addressing the gathering, Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Electronics & IT Department, Government of Odisha, stated, “The purpose of this meeting is to update you on the forthcoming amendments to the Electronics Policy. While incentives are important, they alone are not sufficient to attract investments. A robust and comprehensive ecosystem is essential to truly leverage the benefits of any policy.”

Following his address, representatives from the E&IT department presented the proposed revisions to the policy framework. Key highlights included exemptions on land premiums, power subsidies, stamp duty waivers, lease rental subsidies, fixed capital incentives and human capital development incentives. Additional measures such as extended EPI and ESI reimbursements, SGST reimbursements, patent registration and marketing incentives, enhanced R&D support, ESDM Park development incentives and green power benefits were also outlined.

The presentation also introduced plans for a first-of-its-kind internship program and logistics subsidies aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline and improving supply chain efficiency within the ESDM sector.

Following the presentation, the floor was opened for a dynamic Q&A and feedback session, allowing more than 50 participants to engage directly with the presenters and share their insights and suggestions.

In his concluding remarks, Shri. Vishal Kumar Dev said, “Today’s discussions brought to light some critical challenges, particularly around policy implementation and claim processing. To address these, we are committed to forming dedicated teams for each policy to ensure smoother execution and faster resolution. While Odisha has made significant strides, the current footprint in the electronics sector remains modest, and we recognize that there is still a long journey ahead. It is important to remember that while states can offer robust policies, the real measure of success lies in the actual flow of investments. Odisha’s top ranking in fiscal management by NITI Aayog reflects our strong governance and financial discipline, and we are determined to channel this strength into building a thriving ESDM ecosystem.”

The workshop served as a vital platform for fostering collaboration between government bodies, industry leaders, and policy experts, reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to becoming a premier destination for ESDM in India. By actively engaging stakeholders in the policy revision process, the state is not only ensuring transparency and inclusivity but also laying the groundwork for a future-ready, innovation-driven ecosystem. The discussions and feedback gathered during the session will play a crucial role in shaping a policy framework that is both responsive to industry needs and aligned with global best practices.