Odisha plans to prepare special policy for startups

Setting a target to place Odisha among the top three states of India in the startups programme, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the state government will soon prepare a special policy to encourage and facilitate investments in the programme.

Patnaik told this to a delegation from US-based TiE Silicon Valley during a meeting at the State Secretariat in Bhubaneswar. Stating that Odisha was aiming to become the top three destinations for startups in India in the coming two years, Patnaik said that the state was one of the most promising in the country with significant potential for growth of startups.

"We have some of the premier institutions of the country and the quality of our technical manpower is second to none. The policy and regulatory reforms implemented by our government are conducive to the growth of startups," Patnaik said.

Noting that the state owned IPICOL and SILICON Valley have a one-of-its-kind agreement to foster the growth of startups in the state, Patnaik said the state has witnessed a growth of a number of startups across various sectors in the state.

"However, there is a huge potential waiting to be tapped. With the supporting ecosystem available in the state, my vision is to see the state among the top three startup destinations in the country in next two years," the chief minister said.

While talking to the delegates, Patnaik said besides bringing a greater investment that would gainfully employ youths, the state govenrment has been planning to set up incubators to assist start-ups. "I am confident that your engagement will ensure setting up of world-class incubators in the state," Patnaik told the Silicon Valley delegates.

He also assured the delegation that the state government would soon develop focused policy for promoting start ups in Odisha. "The state looks forward to your inputs," Patnaik told the delegation. Patnaik also tweeted on his discussion with the Silicon Valley delegation.