Odisha is poised to make a significant mark at the India Steel 2025 Conference, a premier international event organized by the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Held from April 24 to 26, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai, the three-day conference brings together global and national stakeholders to shape the future of the steel industry. Odisha’s delegation, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, arrived in Mumbai on the evening of April 24 to participate in this pivotal summit.
The India Steel 2025 Conference was inaugurated earlier today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of global dignitaries, industry leaders, and policymakers. The event focuses on critical themes such as sustainable steel production, raw material security, digital transformation, and global partnerships, aligning with India’s ambitious Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. As the world’s second-largest steel producer and consumer, India is experiencing a robust steel demand growth of 8-10% annually, according to the India Steel Expo website, making this platform a vital opportunity for collaboration and innovation.
Odisha, often hailed as the “Steel Capital of India,” is set to lead discussions on Day 2 of the conference. On April 25, 2025, the state will host a high-profile session titled “State Roundtable: Odisha – Focusing on Expanding Steel Production and Raw Material Supply,” chaired by Chief Minister Majhi. The roundtable will feature participation from India’s top steel producers, including Tata Steel, Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), JSW Steel, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS), among others. The session aims to highlight Odisha’s strategic advantages in the steel sector, including its abundant raw material reserves, robust infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and potential for downstream industries.
During the roundtable, senior officials from the Government of Odisha will present detailed insights into the state’s metal sector ecosystem, complemented by a dedicated film showcasing Odisha’s strengths. Industry leaders will also share their experiences of operating in the state, underscoring its conducive business environment. Odisha’s prominence in steel production is well-established—home to major plants like Tata Steel’s Kalinganagar facility and JSPL’s Angul plant, the latter being the country’s most modern 6 MTPA integrated steel plant, as noted in a 2023 blog by Tata Nexarc. The state’s leadership in this sector is further reinforced by its significant contribution to India’s overall steel output.
Following the roundtable, Chief Minister Majhi will engage in exclusive one-on-one Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings with leading industrialists from the steel and allied sectors. These discussions are expected to pave the way for new investments and partnerships, building on the momentum from the recently concluded Utkarsh Odisha-Make in Odisha Conclave in January 2025. The conclave, a flagship investor summit, has already positioned Odisha as a hub for industrial growth, attracting significant investments across sectors.
In addition to the steel-focused engagements, the Chief Minister will meet with key national industry bodies, including the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) and the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA), to promote Odisha’s broader sectoral strengths. Odisha’s industrial transformation aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision, as articulated in a November 2024 speech reported by the Times of India, where he emphasized Odisha’s potential for port-based industrial development and its role as a mining and metal powerhouse. Modi highlighted plans to develop ports at Dhamra, Gopalpur, Astaranga, Palur, and Subarnarekha, alongside a 30% increase in the state’s budget outlay for 2024-2025 to drive growth.
Odisha’s participation in India Steel 2025 underscores its commitment to the Samrudh Odisha 2036 vision, which aims to transform the state into a prosperous, future-ready industrial hub by its centenary year of statehood in 2036. The state has already made significant strides, with investments worth ₹45,000 crore approved within the first 100 days of the new government, as noted in Modi’s speech. By leveraging its natural resources, strategic policies, and proactive governance, Odisha is positioning itself as an investor-first destination in eastern India, ready to lead the charge in India’s industrial and economic growth.
