The Minister of Steel & Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan has appealed to Steel industry leaders to work with transparent policies and generate employment opportunities to strengthen the country in making Atmanirbhar. He further stated that with a bouquet of policy reforms, government aims to provide a level-playing field to the industries for wealth creation. Well-laid processes and policy clarity are being designed to ensure ease of doing business.
Speaking as the Chief guest at the ICC National E-Conference on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat: Focus: Downstream Industries in Steel, Chemical and Petro-Chemical sector organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICC) in association withMinistry of Steel and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, here today, Pradhansaid, “Ensuring Minimum Government, and Maximum Governance will be key to enable our industries to create wealth for society. We must facilitate businesses by providing necessary infrastructure”.He called upon steel industry leaders togear up to meet domestic requirements.He said our collective efforts with resolve and co-operation will pavethe way for making of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Pradhan said that country has emerged from the slowdown caused by the pandemic and multiple economic indicators are already suggesting a rebounding of Indian economy. He said there is a visible growth in the manufacturing sector, exports which were minus 6.6 in 2019, have grown by 5.3 % last month. He mentioned that Railway freight has shot up by 15%, FDI has also increased and there is increasing investments in various projects leading to positive growth trajectory. He also stated that Industry and businesses have a huge role to play in the economic recovery and self reliant India.
Talking about the Mission Purvodaya envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modiwhich calls for balanced development of India with eastern India leading the way, Pradhan said that Odisha will play a key role in realising Mission Purvodaya and making of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.Odisha’s natural advantage in mineral resources and having large ports offer unique opportunities for industrial growth. He said both steel and petrochemical sector and their ancillary industries are uniquely poised to leverage the opportunities and further expand their footprints. The Minister emphasised that Port-led economy can be a game-changer for Odisha. He said goverment is doing massive work in inland waterways in Odisha,Paradip port has emerged as the numerouno port of India. Dhamra and Gopalpur ports are playing important roles. The minister said that industry leaders should leverage the rich mineral resources, skilled workforce and well-drawn policies of the Odisha government to excel in Steel manufacturing.
Minister of Home, Industries,Energy & MSME Odisha, Industry leaders, Chairman of IOCL, Senior functionaries of Odisha Government and ICC participated in the conference.