Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday, 22 October 2026, formally invited industrialists and investors to set up operations in the state at the inaugural session of the India Chem 2026 conference in Mumbai, pledging round-the-clock administrative support for projects of every scale. The pitch positioned Odisha as a key contributor to India's $1 trillion chemical sector target by 2040, as outlined in NITI Aayog's strategic roadmap.

Odisha's Chemical Ambition

Chief Minister Majhi articulated a clear pivot in the state's economic identity — from a mineral-dependent economy to a chemical-driven industrial powerhouse. He cited the state's three major ports — Paradip, Gopalpur, and Dhamra — as logistical anchors that provide integrated access to feedstock, industrial land, utilities, domestic markets, and international maritime trade routes.

'Odisha is fully ready for you. Whether your project is small or large, Odisha is ready, and we will support you at every step to ensure the success of your ventures,' Majhi said at the conference. He echoed the commitment later, adding: 'Team Odisha is fully prepared to assist every investment proposal round the clock until execution.'

Key Industrial Infrastructure

Majhi detailed a pipeline of existing and upcoming projects anchoring the state's chemical corridor. The Paradip Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) hosts an IOCL 15-million-tonne refinery alongside a ₹61,000 crore petroleum and chemical complex, generating downstream demand in polymer packaging and technical textiles. An upcoming plastic park is also planned for the zone.

Gopalpur is being developed as a hub for refrigerants, chlorochemicals, green hydrogen, and green ammonia. On the fertiliser front, coal gasification initiatives are underway through Talcher Fertilisers for urea production, while Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited is setting up a technical-grade ammonium nitrate plant at Lakhanpur.

Investment Inflows and Clearances

Majhi underlined the state's institutional momentum, noting Odisha's inclusion among the top five states in NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index and its top ranking in the Fiscal Health Index. The state has recorded the country's second-highest investment inflow this year, according to the Chief Minister.

Projects worth ₹3.52 lakh crore — nearly 200 units — have received full approvals in under two-and-a-half years. Overall, the state has received investment intents exceeding ₹22.50 lakh crore, with proposals surpassing ₹12.50 lakh crore cleared by the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA).

UAE Visit Yields $30 Billion FDI Pledge

On the international front, Majhi pointed to the outcome of his delegation's September 2026 visit to the UAE, which generated ₹2.5 lakh crore in investment intents. A standout commitment was an MoU with International Holding Company (IHC) for an estimated ₹2.10 lakh crore ($30 billion) FDI spanning chemicals, petrochemicals, and critical minerals — among the largest single-source foreign investment pledges the state has received.

Majhi concluded his address by calling on industry leaders: 'Come, invest in Odisha and be a part of Samruddha Odisha.' The state's chemical pitch now sits within a broader national race among coastal states to capture a disproportionate share of India's industrial expansion, with the 2040 deadline providing a concrete policy horizon.