With Japan as Partner Country, we will make Odisha the Nerve Centre of Purvodaya in the steel sector, said Union Minister of Steel and Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan at the recently held workshop on ‘Enabling Procedures for Increase of Steel Usage for the Growth of Economy’ at Bhubaneswar. This workshop was organised by the Ministry of Steel, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Government of Japan, and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said that with Japan as the partner country, he is looking forward to make Odisha, the nerve centre of Purvodaya in the steel sector, as per a release by PIB. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call for Mission Purvodaya, that is Eastern India driving the national growth and propelling India towards becoming a $5 trillion economy.

Speaking about this initiative, the minister said, “We are organising series of workshops to deliberate on how to increase steel usage in India. We have rightly chosen Japan as our partner country, who will guide us for making Indian steel ecosystem bigger, both in qualitative and quantitative terms.” Talking about the Japan-Odisha connection, he said, “Japan and Odisha has age old association. The iconic Dhauli Stupa built with Japanese support is a link between the two civilisations. Today after a few decades, we have again gathered here to rewrite history and write a new chapter in growth of steel sector in Odisha with Japanese collaboration.”

Referring to eastern India, Pradhan said that the society of eastern India is aspirational –  people are getting economically sound, their spending capacity is increasing. He further stated that eastern India will play a pivotal role in driving national economic growth and achieving Primr Minister Modi's vision of making India a $5 trillion economy.”

Speaking about Odisha, the minister said, “Today, $5 billion infrastructure spending is being done only in Odisha in developing railways, roads, airports, pipelines, bridges, etc. We have achieved 100 per cent electrification in Odisha. Eight crore new LPG connections have been given to the poorest of the poor. We have an ambitious plan to build next generation infra and boost economic growth.”

Highlighting the prospects of steel sector in Odisha, he said, “Today Odisha is the highest steel producing state in the country. We are working to strengthen the steel ecosystem in Odisha. By 2030, Odisha's steel production alone is set to cross 100 mtpa. Odisha is going to be the nerve centre of Mission Purvodaya in steel”. As per the PIB release, Pradhan also informed that Kalinganagar will be the hub of the clusterisation programme involving entire eastern India. “Moving beyond just producing primary steel, we will create an ecosystem of ancilliary, value-added products, capital goods with industry participation,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion H.E. Ambassador of Japan to India Satoshi Suzuki, said, “India is moving towards becoming a $5 trillion economy and it is the right time to share our experience with India. Japanese companies are increasingly collaborating with Indian companies. I am pleased to note that Japan and India have launched India Japan Steel Dialogue to ensure sustainable growth of steel sector. Demand for steel in India is set to grow.”

Speaking about contribution of Indian iron ore in Japanese economy, he said, “Our iron ore exports from India, particularly Odisha, helped Japan in becoming a leading economic power.”