INDIAN STATE : ORISSA

Information Technology (IT) and IT Enabled services (ITES)

The industrial and environmental climate of the state is conducive to transforming it into Information Technology (IT) and IT enabled services (ITES) leader of the country. Orissa has two Software Technology Parks of India (STPIs) in Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela and both have been instrumental in growth of the ITs exports from the state.

To facilitate promotion of IT industries in the state, the government of Orissa has established an INFOCITY spreading over 205 acre of land developed under the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) scheme of government of India. Besides Fortune Tower established at Bhubaneshwar is an ideal location for software and IT based export-oriented projects.

The export in this sector is also fast growing. All the IT majors like TCS, INFOSYS, IBM, WIPRO, and SATYAM have already established their software development units in Bhubaneshwar which is fast developing as an IT city. GENPACT, the ITES major has already moved in to Bhubaneshwar. From a level of Rs. 42.26 lakhs in 1997-98, the export has gone upto Rs. 465 crore in 2005-06. This is an outstanding achievement in this sector. IL&FS is developing an SEZ for IT sector at Bhubaneshwar.

The state has explicitly formulated the Information Communication Technology (ICT) policy-2004 to attract more investments in the state. The state government has established an ambitious target of exceeding Rupees one thousand crore-software exports by 2007-08.

Handloom

Orissa has a rich tradition of producing handloom products and the state retains its place of pride for unique and exquisite creations all over the world. In Orissa handloom sector provides enormous employment opportunities to the rural artisans, it is the largest cottage industry and provides employment and sustenance to 4 % of the population of the state. The handloom industry not only produces superior quality artistic fabrics but also produces utility fabrics for the common masses at cheaper price. The government is coming up with various schemes to strengthen the handloom market and diversify it to meet the competition.

The demographic picture of weaving sector is Schedule Tribe (ST) -1 %(6552), Schedule Cast (SC)-30%(123544) others-69%(288165) having 1.19 lakh number of looms in the state. Of which 88186 numbers of looms have been brought under the cooperative fold.

Key strategies of government to strengthen handloom sector are

• Strengthening the working capital base of the Primary weavers Co-operative societies to develop modernized looms, accessories, training to weavers, marketing support and design innovations.
  
• Promotion of handloom exports.
  
• Schemes such as work-shed-cum-housing, health package to weavers, Bunakar Bima Yojana and interest subsidy to PWCS on NABARD loan are operating in the undivided districts of Koraput, Bolangir and Kalahandi (popularly known as KBK districts) areas of the State with assistance from the state government, as well as the central government. under revised long term action plan schemes.
  
• Handloom & craft development of rural artisans in KBK district
  

Tourism

Orissa offers excellent opportunities in the tourism sector. Tourism is considered as a major source of forex earning for the state. Orissa is rich with fascinating tourist attractions with a myriad of monuments, beach resorts, nature tourism, adventure tourism and cultural heritage.

Bhubanehwar, the city of temples, the ancient Sun Temple at Konark, Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri, the Buddhist monastic complexes of Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and Udaigiri are remnants of rich cultural art. The shore of Orissa is dotted with numerous beaches from Chandaneshwar in north to Pati-Sonepur in the south. The sanctuaries and wildlife parks such as Bhitarkanika, Similipal National Park, Chandaka Elephant reserve, Nandankanan, Chilka Lake are some of the major natural tourist attraction points in Orissa.

Major investments announced and are in the pipeline

• US$ 12 billion POSCO steel project at Para deep.
  
• The Orissa Government has constituted a joint working group to facilitate setting up of the proposed 12-million-tonne capacity steel plant by L.N. Mittal-owned Arcelor-Mittal in the State.
  
• Gail lines up US$ 3.25186 bn (Rs. 15000) crore projects in Orissa.
  
• Infosys technologies invest more than US$ 29.2614 million in its Bhubaneshwar development center.
  
• Reliance energy invests US$ 10.4141 billion to set up 12000 MW coal based power plant in Orissa.
  
• Tata steel limited plans 6 million MT steel project in Orissa with an investment of US$ 3.33832 billion
  
• Vedanta group is setting up $2.1 billion aluminum complex in Orissa.
  
• VISA steel ltd. has announced an investment of US$ 248.404 million in its proposed 0.35 million MT stainless steel plant in Orissa.
  
• GMR energy, Navbharat ferro and Aban Lloyd at Dhenkanal are planning power projects.

Mega projects

Mega Infrastructure Projects

• Development of industrial & social infrastructure in steel & mining corridors.
• Road sector- Rs 20,000 Crores over next 5 years
• Railways- Rs 6,000 Crores over next 5 years
• Major expansion of Paradeep Port
• 3 new ports at Dhamra, Gopalpur and Jatadhari Muhan (US$ 1.35 bn)
• BPO Complex
• 8 SEZs including 4 IT SEZ approved by Government of India
  
  • IT SEZ
    
  • Infocity
    
  • Infopark
    
  • Knowledge city &
    
  • IDCO-Genpact
• Bhubaneswar Airport modernization by AAI-250 Crores
• Integrated Textiles Park at Daleiput, Khurda

Upcoming IT parks

• Info Park
  
  • Creation of 4.2 mn. Sq. feet of built-up space adjacent to Info city.
    
  • To be developed by DLF
• Knowledge Industry Township
  • 784 acres integrated township located 15 kms from the city
  • To comprise an SEZ, residential, educational, commercial areas and business zones
  • To be extended to 1500 acres in Phase-I
  • 4000 acres to be further added in phase-II
• IDCO-Genpact BPO Complex
  • Jointly promoted by IDCO and Genpact
  • 29 acres of prime land in the heart of the city
  • 12 acres for Genpact, 7 acres for other BPO units