In a significant step towards deepening international cooperation for sustainable progress, Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi held productive discussions with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga at Lok Seva Bhawan today.
The high-level meeting, attended by senior state officials, including Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner D K Singh, and World Bank representatives, centred on bolstering collaboration across critical sectors to drive Odisha’s long-term growth and reform priorities.
Key topics included accelerating inclusive and sustainable development, equipping India’s youth—particularly in Odisha—with skills for private sector employment, upgrading infrastructure, enhancing social sector performance, and fostering technology-enabled, resilient economic expansion.
Chief Minister Majhi spotlighted the state government’s flagship initiatives and bold reforms, which have transformed Odisha into a business-friendly destination. These efforts have prioritised investments in infrastructure, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture and allied sectors, and tourism, generating substantial employment opportunities for youth and women.
Thanks to streamlined acts and rules, Odisha has attracted massive investments, securing the second position nationally—trailing only Andhra Pradesh—with proposals worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore as per Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data up to December 2025.
World Bank President Ajay Banga lauded Odisha’s development momentum and strong reform orientation. He specifically appreciated the state’s emphasis on skill development to expand private sector job opportunities for its young population. Highlighting synergies with national efforts, Banga noted that the forthcoming World Bank Group-India strategic plan would draw inspiration from successful models like the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar. This aligns with India’s ₹4 billion national initiative to modernise Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) nationwide.
Banga reaffirmed the World Bank’s steadfast commitment to supporting Odisha through technical assistance, policy advisory services, and financial partnerships. He stressed the vital role of building institutional capacity and promoting robust public-private partnerships.
The leaders also deliberated on broader global and regional economic challenges, including infrastructure creation, urbanisation management, and sustainable resource utilisation, agreeing on the need for joint strategies to tackle them.
Chief Minister Majhi presented the Odisha Vision document to President Banga, outlining the state’s roadmap aligned with “Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047: Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat.” The vision targets transformative growth, positioning Odisha as a frontrunner in India’s development journey.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with both sides expressing a firm commitment to intensifying collaboration and identifying fresh avenues of partnership that align with Odisha’s priorities and the World Bank’s strategic framework.
