Bhubaneswar, Aug 22: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH), branded as the ‘BharatNetra initiative’, in Bhubaneswar. The hub is designed to connect India with the Asia Pacific Innovation Corridor and enhance the country’s role in the evolving global fintech landscape.

The launch event was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Electronics & IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling, and Global Financial Technology Network (GFTN) CEO Sopnendu Mohanty, along with other dignitaries.

Calling the hub a transformative step for Odisha’s digital ecosystem, Chief Minister Majhi said the initiative would play a crucial role in shaping the future of finance in the state and beyond. “BharatNetra will not only foster innovation and financial inclusion but also strengthen India’s global leadership in the digital economy,” he stated.

The I-GFTCH aims to serve as a collaborative platform for fintech research, innovation, and capability development, bringing together industry leaders, startups, academia, and policymakers. It is also expected to generate new opportunities for investment, job creation, and skill development in Odisha while positioning India as a key driver in the international fintech corridor.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the significance of the hub in aligning with the government’s vision of a digital-first economy, while Sopnendu Mohanty stressed on the hub’s potential to establish India as a global powerhouse in financial technology.

With the launch of BharatNetra, Odisha takes a decisive step toward becoming a fintech innovation hub, leveraging technology to bridge markets and empower the next generation of digital leaders.